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MSDE, AIB cite teacher shortage as key barrier to Blueprint collaborative time; board hears recruitment, retention proposals
Summary
MSDE and the Joint AIB reported on teacher vacancies, the rise in conditionally licensed teachers and the challenges of implementing the Blueprint’s collaborative time requirement. The departments outlined proposals including grow‑your‑own pathways, teacher apprenticeships, coaching and revised timelines for collaborative time pilots.
Maryland education officials told the State Board on Thursday that the state’s teacher shortage and the growing share of conditionally licensed teachers are the primary obstacles to implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future requirement for expanded teacher collaborative time.
MSDE and Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) staff presented vacancy and licensure data showing vacancies peaked in 2022‑23 and remain a challenge. Conditionally licensed teachers rose to roughly 6,500 — more than 10% of the statewide teacher workforce — and are more diverse than the overall teacher population, staff said.
“Conditionally licensed teachers are poised to become fully licensed,” an MSDE official said, arguing the state should treat them as a workforce growth opportunity. The departments outlined multiple strategies to address the shortage: leveraging conditional teachers with targeted supports, teacher apprenticeships, incentives to recruit experienced teachers from other states, expanded professional learning and coaching, and investments in school leader development.
On collaborative time — the Blueprint’s phased plan to reduce the share of time teachers spend solely in front of students to allow time for collaboration and intervention — officials said AIB recommended delaying full implementation where vacancies prevent reliable staffing. The governor’s legislative proposal referenced in the meeting would delay the collaborative‑time funding phase‑in and create “collaborative time innovation demonstration grants” to test alternative models.
Board members asked about timelines for converting conditionally licensed teachers to full licensure, what barriers persist in educator preparation pipeline enrollment and how leader development and school climate can affect retention. MSDE said licensure conversion times vary by individual and that many reforms — including updated licensure pathways and flexible assessment options — are in progress.
Why it matters: Collaborative time is a core Blueprint design intended to improve instruction by giving teachers structured time for planning, data review and small‑group interventions. Officials said it produces better learning outcomes but cannot be implemented at scale until staffing shortfalls are addressed; the missing teachers and pipeline gaps have budget and operational implications for LEAs.
What’s next: MSDE and AIB said they will pursue pilot programs, invest in coaching and leader development, and work with higher education and LEAs to accelerate licensure pathways and grow‑your‑own initiatives.
Provenance: Joint AIB/MSDE teacher recruitment and collaborative time presentations and board Q&A (transcript blocks beginning at 9243.105 and concluding at 10311.346).
