EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0888*
HOUSE BILL 888
F1 5lr3462
By: Delegates Fair, Ebersole, and Kerr
Introduced and read first time: January 30, 2025
Assigned to: Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 5, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Education – Initial Teacher Certification – Qualifications 2
FOR the purpose of altering the qualifications for an initial teacher certificate to include 3
passing a portfolio–based assessment of a nationally accredited teacher preparation 4
program; and generally relating to initial teacher certification. 5
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
Article – Education 7
Section 6–126(a)(1) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Education 12
Section 6–126(a)(2) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 16
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 17
Article – Education 18
6–126. 19
2 HOUSE BILL 888
(a) (1) This subsection applies to individuals who have graduated from a 1
teacher preparation program or an alternative teacher preparation program. 2
(2) Beginning on July 1, 2025, to qualify for an initial certificate an 3
individual shall: 4
(i) Pass the subject–specific examinations under § 6–125 of this 5
subtitle; 6
(ii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 7
1. Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, pass [a]: 8
A. A nationally recognized, portfolio–based assessment of 9
teaching ability; or 10
B. A PORTFOLIO–BASED ASSESSMENT OF A NATIONALLY 11
ACCREDITED TEACHER P REPARATION PROGRAM ; OR 12
2. Subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, complete a 13
rigorous local school system teacher induction program that lasts for the lesser of: 14
A. 3 years; or 15
B. The amount of time a teacher may hold a conditional 16
teacher certificate; 17
(iii) Meet one of the following qualifications: 18
1. Pass a basic literacy skills assessment approved by the 19
Department under § 6–125 of this subtitle; 20
2. Hold a degree from a regionally accredited educational 21
institution and have earned a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 22
4.0 scale or its equivalent on the most recently earned degree; or 23
3. Submit documentation to the Department of having 24
received effective evaluations from a local school system for 3 years; 25
(iv) Pass a rigorous State–specific examination of mastery of reading 26
instruction and content for the grade level the individual will be teaching; and 27
(v) Satisfactorily complete any other requirements established by 28
the State Board. 29
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, Tha t this Act shall take effect July 30
1, 2025. 31