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Committee approves expanded licensure pathways; defers paraprofessional assessment decision pending data
Summary
The committee recommended adoption of amendments to expand alternative pathways for teacher licensure (including arts and performance areas) and deferred a separate decision on paraprofessional assessment instruments until staff can provide success-rate data; current ParaPro test sunsets in August 2026.
The Education Policy Committee voted to recommend permission to adopt regulatory amendments expanding pathways to teacher licensure and deferred action on proposed paraprofessional assessment instruments pending additional data.
Jeff Sanderson, deputy state superintendent, said the licensure amendment provides for transcript analysis of alternative pathways for individuals with content expertise in art, dance, music and theater. He reported 20 public comments on the licensure amendment, 19 of which were positive; one local education agency raised concerns that Sanderson said could be addressed through technical assistance. The committee moved and unanimously recommended permission to adopt the licensure pathways regulation to the full board.
Sanderson also presented options to replace the ETS ParaPro paraprofessional assessment that Maryland has used since 2003 and which the vendor is discontinuing. He proposed three replacement instruments: an updated ETS instrument and two assessments developed by Pearson, and said the department has drafted accompanying policy language for paraprofessional credentialing.
Board members pressed for data on candidate success rates with the recommended instruments and whether assessments create barriers for paraprofessionals. Doctor Johnson asked specifically how successful paraprofessionals are on the recommended assessments; Sanderson said he did not have the success-rate data available and committed to returning with that information. Sanderson also said the current ParaPro instrument sunsets in August 2026, providing time to bring back data.
Because a motion to adopt paraprofessional assessments was not seconded, the committee did not take final action on that item. Committee members agreed the department will return with success-rate data and other requested information in a future Education Policy Committee meeting.
