Maryland State Board celebrates Teacher of the Year and plans summer education standards updates

The Maryland Department of Education's Professional Standards & Teacher Education Board convened on May 28, 2025, to discuss significant updates and initiatives aimed at enhancing teacher education and standards. A key highlight from the meeting was the board's commitment to addressing teacher retention, sparked by a recent presentation on the challenges faced by educators in the state.

During the meeting, board members emphasized the need for hard data to understand why teachers are leaving the profession. This discussion followed a resolution passed by the board to gather insights on teacher attrition, particularly focusing on those entering the field with conditional certificates. The board is considering developing a survey instrument to collect this data, which they believe is crucial for shaping effective teacher induction and preparation programs.

In addition to retention strategies, the board celebrated the achievements of 24 teachers of the year and discussed updates to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). Notably, they approved new criteria for disqualifying substitute teachers based on specific offenses, aiming to enhance the safety and quality of educational environments.

Looking ahead, the board is preparing for a busy June, with plans to adopt new standards in math, literacy, and social studies—marking the first major update since the Common Core era. They will also recognize principals of the year and review recommendations from the Blueprints special education work group.

As the meeting concluded, members reflected on the contributions of outgoing board members, expressing gratitude for their service and the impact they have made over the years. The board's proactive approach to addressing teacher retention and updating educational standards signals a commitment to improving the educational landscape in Maryland.