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MSDE details phased diploma and certificate endorsement plan, ties CTE endorsements to industry credentials

Maryland State Board of Education and Blueprint for Maryland's Future Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) Joint Meeting · June 25, 2024

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Summary

MSDE described a phased rollout of diploma endorsements (college & career and CTE) and certificate endorsements for students on the alternate framework; future phases will require industry credentials or apprenticeships for CTE endorsements and add an observation‑based endorsement process for certificate students.

MSDE staff told the boards that COMAR requires offering diploma endorsements and specified the department’s plan for phased implementation beginning in 2024‑25. The department described two diploma endorsements for graduating students: a college‑and‑career readiness (CCR) endorsement and a career & technical education (CTE) endorsement. For the 2024‑25 launch, MSDE will accept either interim/legacy criteria or the newly adopted CCR definition so eligible students are not excluded; in later phases (2025‑26 and beyond) CTE endorsements will require completion of two or more CTE classes plus an industry‑recognized credential or the high‑school level of a registered apprenticeship.

MSDE said it examined models in other states (notably Mississippi and Texas), which showed the value of starting endorsement pathways early and building incentives (preferential postsecondary or employer access) so endorsements carry real value beyond a transcript notation. The department plans categories to group programs — STEM, business & industry, public services, arts & humanities and multidisciplinary studies — to help LEAs and employers interpret endorsements.

MSDE also described a certificate‑of‑program‑completion endorsement framework for the small population of students served on an alternate framework (roughly 0.7% of graduates). Those endorsements (postsecondary education, work readiness & employment, and community & citizenship) will be phased in with professional learning and an attainment rubric; by school year 2026‑27, transition‑age certificate students will be required to have at least one aligned observation shared with families before the annual IEP review. MSDE said the phased approach is intended to provide professional learning and operational readiness for practitioners and families.

Board members asked whether LEAs could opt out, how endorsements would be reflected on diplomas/transcripts (similar to a biliteracy seal), and how the state will define acceptable industry credentials and apprenticeships. MSDE said guidance and CTE committee work will finalize credential lists and apprenticeship definitions, with final committee votes planned in coming months; the department expects to circulate implementation guidance and continue stakeholder engagement.