Professional standards board OKs permission to publish COMAR updates for administrator and specialist licensure

The Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board on Jan. 8 voted to give the Maryland State Department of Education permission to publish three proposed COMAR regulation amendments that align new administrator endorsement language with older "administrator 1" and "administrator 2" areas and preserve pathways for educators who previously held those endorsements.

MSDE staff said the amendments are intended as a cleanup to prevent unintended consequences after the department created a new administrator endorsement area last year. "The administrator 1 endorsement qualifies an individual to serve as an assistant principal and supervisor of instruction, and may continue to hold that endorsement if the requirements for renewal, reinstatement, or both are met," MSDE presenter Sofia Fitzpatrick told the board. The amendments allow educators who earned administrator 1 or 2 under former rules to reinstate or renew those areas, provided they meet renewal requirements such as completing 90 professional development points.

Why it matters: The changes preserve access to leadership roles for educators who completed prior approved pathways while aligning regulatory cross-references across multiple licensure rules. Board members described the amendments as largely technical but said publishing them will allow public comment and provide an opportunity to resolve outstanding questions about implementation.

Board action and votes: Jenny Bischoff moved permission to publish the supervisors/assistant principals/principals rule (COMAR 13A.12.505); Dr. Taylor seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote. The board also granted permission to publish the Library Media Administrator rule (COMAR 13A.12.506) and the Supervisor of Special Education rule (COMAR 13A.12.510); both motions passed by voice vote after brief presentations and discussion.

Concerns and next steps: Several members raised substantive concerns about how the special-education language would operate in practice. One member, a classroom and special-education practitioner, warned that carryover language could allow staff with multiple responsibilities to serve without dedicated supervisor-of-special-education qualifications and said districts are already strained by litigation and compliance demands. MSDE staff acknowledged the concern and proposed convening a work group and soliciting public input before final adoption. "We will set up a work group to discuss," staff said, and the board asked that the minutes reflect a plan to collaborate with the Special Education Workgroup for deeper study.

MSDE staff also acknowledged communications and naming issues at institutions of higher education: multiple speakers noted that program transcript language and website wording may continue to show the older "administrator 1" stamp even as pathways change. Staff said they will send clarifying memos to IHEs and work with programs that need help updating language to prevent confusion for alumni and current candidates.

What to expect: The board granted permission to publish, which allows public comment on the proposed COMAR text. MSDE staff said they will circulate the December "summary of actions," relevant transmittal memos, and guidance to institutions and will convene stakeholder conversations to address concerns raised about special education supervisor qualifications and program naming.

Ending: The board approved publication of all three items and recorded intent to use the public-comment period and targeted work groups to refine any substantive changes before a final vote on adoption.