MD Department of Education Recommends Legislative Changes to Blueprint

The Maryland State Department of Education made multiple legislative requests to the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board to potentially aid in the recruitment of teachers and clarify access to post college and career readiness pathways.

During a regularly scheduled meeting of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), staff shared suggestions for legislative changes that were submitted by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). It was noted by the staff that the suggestions were received after the Blueprint Comprehensive Plan update process was completed.

The first MSDE recommendation was focused on fast-tracking the transition of fully certificated teachers from other states into the Maryland school systems. It requested to:

  • modify out-of-state teacher requirements to pass edTPA or NBC to also include the option of having two years of effective evaluations

AIB staff believe this recommendation to be reasonable and useful in getting fully licensed teachers into Maryland schools faster.  The recommendation by AIB staff to the AIB Board was to seek joint support from the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE), the outcome to which may determine if a formalized recommendation will be made to the Governor and General Assembly.

The second MSDE request was said to be a technical clarification for a change made during the 2024 legislative session regarding teacher preparation programing in Maryland. The request was to:

  • clarify that Maryland teacher preparation programs may offer their own portfolio assessment (in lieu of edTPA) if the program is either nationally accredited OR MSDE approved

AIB staff recommended the AIB Board also seek joint support from MSBE on this and clarified that they believe this to simply be clarifying the intent of an existing authorization.

Third, and concerning the college and career readiness pillar, MSDE requested a change that allows students who are not college and career ready (CCR) yet, to have some access to post-CCR pathways. It read:

  • modify statute to allow all students to have initial access to post-CCR pathways per the dual enrollment policy after the Blueprint is fully implemented

The AIB recommended a movement that would essentially agree with this request and codify it in the law to make the access permanent, with the intent to maintain the ability to change the definition of “initial access” as needed.

Watch the full overview of legislative recommendations.

Read the full legislative recommendations document.