Maryland pursues Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to enhance reciprocity for licenses

The Maryland Department of Education's Professional Standards & Teacher Education Board convened on March 6, 2025, to discuss critical initiatives aimed at enhancing teacher recruitment and mobility within the state. A significant focus of the meeting was the "Grow Your Own" initiative, which is emphasized in the Governor's current legislative proposal. Board members expressed optimism regarding funding for this initiative, which aims to cultivate local talent for teaching positions.

Another key topic was Maryland's potential participation in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. This compact would facilitate one-to-one reciprocity for professional licenses among member states, simplifying the process for teachers moving between states. Currently, 13 states are part of the compact, with Maryland considering joining. The compact aims to establish clear criteria for license recognition, making it easier for states to accept teachers from other member states.

The board also highlighted the ongoing "Teach Maryland" marketing campaign, which has been active since 2019. This campaign utilizes both digital and print resources to attract high school students to the teaching profession. The upcoming "Teach Maryland Conference" is anticipated to be a significant event, allowing students to engage with educators and learn more about teaching careers. Past evaluations from participants have shown increased interest in teaching as a result of attending the conference.

While the marketing campaign has been in place for several years, board members acknowledged challenges in measuring its effectiveness due to limited funding. However, the Governor's bill proposes expanding the campaign's resources, which could enhance its ability to track the correlation between marketing efforts and teacher employment outcomes.

Overall, the meeting underscored the Maryland Department of Education's commitment to improving teacher recruitment and mobility, with hopes that legislative support will bolster these initiatives.