On February 23, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 771- Education- Initial Teacher Certification- Requirements. By adjusting initial certification requirements for public educators, this bill allows prospective teachers to work in Maryland classrooms while they pursue a full certification.
Counties, as critical stakeholders in Maryland’s public education system and partners in supporting Maryland’s schools, strongly support any State effort to get more qualified staff in classrooms, ease burdens on veteran staff, and strengthen the pipeline of prospective teachers. Doing so is imperative to the success of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future − which strongly emphasizes fortifying teaching as a high-quality profession − and to the success of Maryland’s students and future workforce.
SB 771’s cross-file, HB 945, was heard on February 28, 2024 in the House Ways and Means Committee. Brianna January submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
SB 771 was heard in the opposite chamber, the House Ways and Means Committee, on March 27. MACo submitted testimony in support.
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