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Chapter 188
(House Bill 945)
AN ACT concerning
Education – Initial Teacher Certification – Requirements
FOR the purpose of repealing a provision of law that requires a teacher preparation
program to require a student to pass a certain assessment as a graduation
requirement; altering the requirements for initial teacher certification; repealing
certain certification requirements to pass a certain literacy test, a certain skills
assessment, and a certain reading mastery test; requiring, rather than authorizing,
the State Superintendent of Schools to pursue and make certain reciprocal educator
credentialing agreements with other states; authorizing a local school system to
establish a comprehensive induction program to aid in meeting a certain
requirement for initial teacher certification; altering the qualification requirements
for a teacher who holds a professional license or certificate from another state; and
generally relating to initial teacher certification.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Education
Section 6–121(a), 6–125, 6–126, and 6–705
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Education
6–121.
(a) A teacher preparation program shall:
(1) Include the following components of instruction:
(i) Basic research skills and methods and training on the routine
evaluation and use of research and data to improve student performance;
(ii) Differentiation of instruction and demonstration of cultural
competence for students of diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, and economic backgrounds with
different learning abilities;
(iii) Implementation of restorative approaches for student behaviors;
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(iv) Identifying and assessing, in the context of the classroom, typical
student learning deficits and techniques to remedy learning deficits;
(v) Recognizing and effectively using high quality instructional
materials, including digital resources and computer technology;
(vi) Core academic subjects that teachers will be teaching;
(vii) Methods and techniques for identifying and addressing the social
and emotional needs of students, including trauma–informed approaches to pedagogy;
(viii) Skills and techniques for effective classroom management; and
(ix) Training in the skills and techniques for teaching effectively in a
virtual learning environment, including the use of online curriculum;
(2) Require program participants to demonstrate competency in each of the
components required under paragraph (1) of this subsection; AND
(3) Provide training in the knowledge and skills required to understand
and teach the Maryland curriculum frameworks[; and
(4) On or after July 1, 2025, require passing a nationally recognized,
portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability as a requirement for graduation].
6–125.
(a) (1) The Department shall determine whether the Basic Literacy Skills test
[required] APPROVED for initial teacher certification is at least as rigorous as the similar
examination administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts SUFFICIENTLY
RIGOROUS.
(2) If the Department determines the Basic Literacy Skills test is
insufficient under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Department shall develop a new
literacy examination of sufficient rigor.
(3) The Department may not limit the number of times an individual may
take the literacy examination developed under this subsection in order to pass.
(b) (1) (i) Beginning after the implementation of the literacy examination
under subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall develop and administer
challenging, subject–specific examinations tailored to the subjects and grade level at which
teachers will teach.
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(ii) Subject–specific examinations shall be at least as rigorous as
similar examinations administered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts RIGOROUS,
AS DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT .
(iii) The Department may not limit the number of times an individual
may take a subject–specific examination to pass the examination.
(2) Before a subject–specific examination developed under paragraph (1) of
this subsection is administered, the Department shall develop standards for the
subject–specific examination and submit the standards to each Department–approved
teacher preparation program 1 year before the first year in which the examination is
expected to be administered.
(3) A teacher preparation program with standards for a subject–specific
examination developed by the Department under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall
incorporate the standards into the curriculum of the teacher preparation program in a
timely manner.
6–126.
(a) (1) This subsection applies to individuals who have graduated from a
teacher preparation program [approved by the Department] or an alternative teacher
preparation program.
(2) Beginning on July 1, 2025, to qualify for an initial certificate an
individual shall:
(i) PASS THE SUBJECT –SPECIFIC EXAMINATION S UNDER §
6–125 OF THIS SUBTITLE ;
(II) MEET ONE OF THE FOLLO WING QUALIFICATIONS :
1. Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, pass a
nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of teaching ability; OR
2. SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION ,
COMPLETE A RIGOROUS LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM TEACHER INDUCTION PR OGRAM
THAT LASTS FOR THE LESSER OF:
A. 3 YEARS; OR
B. THE AMOUNT OF TIME A TEACHER MAY HOLD A
CONDITIONAL TEACHER CERTIFICATE;
(III) MEET ONE OF THE FOLLO WING QUALIFICATIONS : Ch. 188 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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1. PASS A BASIC LITERACY SKILLS ASSESSMENT
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT UND ER § 6–125 OF THIS SUBTITLE;
3. 2. HOLD A DEGREE FROM A REGIONALLY ACCREDITE D
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUT ION AND HAVE EARNED A MINIMUM OVERALL CU MULATIVE
GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 3.0 ON A 4.0 SCALE OR ITS EQUIVAL ENT ON THE MOST
RECENTLY EARNED DEGR EE; OR
4. 3. SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION SATISFACTORY TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF SATISFACTORY HAVING RECEIVED EFFE CTIVE EVALUATIONS
FROM A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM FROM COMPLETION OF A RIGOROUS TEACHER
INDUCTION PROGRAM FO R THE LESSER OF:
A. 3 YEARS; OR
B. THE AMOUNT OF TIME A TEACHER MAY H OLD A
CONDITIONAL TEACHER CERTIFICATE FOR 3 YEARS; AND
[(ii) (IV) Pass a rigorous State–specific examination of mastery of
reading instruction and content for the grade level the individual will be teaching; and]
(iii) (V) Satisfactorily complete any other requirements
established by the State Board.
(3) An individual who graduates from a teacher preparation program in
the State who passed a nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment [as a
requirement to graduate under § 6–121 of this subtitle] may not be required to take the
assessment more than one time.
(4) (I) IN ORDER TO SATISFY T HE REQUIREMENTS OF P ARAGRAPH
(2)(II)2 OF THIS SUBSECTION , A CANDIDATE FOR AN I NITIAL TEACHER CERTI FICATE
SHALL SUBMIT DOCUMEN TATION TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT THE C ANDIDATE HAS
COMPLETED A RIGOROUS COMPREHENSIVE INDUCT ION PROGRAM , ESTABLISHED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH § 6–117 OF THIS SUBTITLE , THAT MEETS THE REQUI REMENTS
OF THIS PARAGRAPH .
(II) THE COMPREHENSIVE IND UCTION PROGRAM SHALL BE
DEVELOPED BY A LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM , EITHER INDEPENDENTLY OR
COLLABORATIVELY WITH OTHER LOCAL SCHOOL S YSTEMS.
(III) BEFORE ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE INDUCT ION
PROGRAM, ONE OR MORE LOCAL SC HOOL SYSTEMS SHALL S UBMIT A PLAN FOR THE WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 188
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PROGRAM TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND
IMPLEMENTATION BOARD.
(IV) THE COMPREHENSIVE IND UCTION PROGRAM SHALL
INCLUDE A LOCALLY DE VELOPED PORTFOLIO CO MPONENT THAT IS ALIG NED WITH
THE INTERSTATE TEACHER ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT CONSORTIUM
STANDARDS.
(V) A TEACHER PREPARATION PROGR AM OR AN ALTERNATIVE
TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM MAY USE THE LOCALLY DEVELOPED PO RTFOLIO
COMPONENT UNDER SUBP ARAGRAPH (IV) OF THIS PARAGRAPH AS MEETING A
PORTION OF THE COURS EWORK REQUIREMENTS O F THE PROGRAM .
(VI) A CANDIDATE WHO SATISFACTORILY COMPL ETES A
COMPREHENSIVE INDUCT ION PROGRAM ESTABLIS HED IN ACCORDANCE WI TH THIS
PARAGRAPH MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO PASS A N ATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ,
PORTFOLIO–BASED ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING ABILITY .
(b) In addition to any other requirements established by the State Board, to
qualify for a certificate in the State, a teacher who [graduated from an institution of higher
education in another state or] holds a professional license or certificate from another state
shall:
(1) [Pass an examination of teaching ability within 18 months of being
hired by a local school system] MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INITIAL TEACH ER
CERTIFICATE UNDER SU BSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION ; or;
(2) Hold an active National Board Certification from the National Board
for Professional Teaching Standards; OR
(3) COMPLETE A COMPREHENS IVE INDUCTION PROGRA M IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (A)(4) OF THIS SECTION .
(c) (1) The Department, after a reasonable period of review and assessment,
shall determine whether one of the assessments of teaching skill [required] APPROVED for
initial teacher certification under this section more adequately measures the skills and
knowledge required of a highly qualified teacher.
(2) If the Department makes a determination under paragraph (1) of this
subsection that requires a revision to the statutory requirements for initial teacher
certification, the Department shall, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government
Article, submit a report to the General Assembly on or before the next September 1 on its
recommendations for revising the qualifications for initial teacher [licensure]
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(d) (1) The Department shall actively monitor and assess, during their
implementation and development, new teacher standards and assessments produced under
this section for any negative impact on the diversity of teacher candidates passing the
initial teacher certification assessments.
(2) The Department shall report the results of its monitoring and
assessment to the Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of
this article.
6–705.
(a) IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE PRO CESS FOR
INITIAL CERTIFICATIO N OF QUALIFIED TEACH ERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL
EDUCATED OR CREDENTI ALED IN OTHER STATES BE EFFICIENT AND EFF ECTIVE TO
ENCOURAGE MORE TEACH ERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO LIVE AN D WORK
IN THE STATE.
(B) Subject to the rules and regulations that are implemented according to §
6–704 of this subtitle, the State Superintendent [may] SHALL PURSUE AND make an
agreement with the appropriate educational authority of any other state THAT HAS
SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVA LENT CREDENTIALING R EQUIREMENTS OTHERWIS E
REQUIRED BY THIS TIT LE to provide for reciprocity in the certification of teachers.
[(b)] (C) Subject to the regulations of the Board, the State Superintendent may
accept the accreditation for certification purposes of a program for teacher preparation if:
(1) The accreditation is granted by a recognized national accrediting
agency; and
(2) The institution preparing the teachers is in another state.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, April 25, 2024.