MSDE rolls out suite of teacher-licensure and background-check proposals, including apprenticeship and reciprocity paths

Kelly Meadows, MSDE’s assistant state superintendent for educator effectiveness, presented a multi-part regulatory package that the committee moved either to adopt or to publish for public comment.

Employment-history review: Meadows said one amendment — prompted by an Office of Legislative Audits recommendation and codified in Education Article §6-113.2 — requires local school systems to audit and attest they are complying with an Employment History Review Process for anyone who will have direct contact with minors. That amendment was the only item in Meadows’ early set that was up for adoption at this meeting; the committee moved to recommend adoption and voted unanimously.

Criminal-history (fingerprinting) checks: Meadows said the proposed chapter would lift definitions and disqualifying-conviction language from Family Law and from Education Article 6-113, require fingerprinting on or before the first day of employment, require annual attestation by each county board and a limited internal audit of procedures by July 1, 2027. The item was presented for permission to publish (public comment will follow); Meadows told members that MSDE will develop the reporting tool if the regulations are promulgated.

Teacher-preparation and licensure pathways: Meadows outlined changes driven by two 2026 bills (SB311 and SB238). The amendments add two new ways for Maryland candidates to demonstrate pedagogical knowledge: (1) an approved national assessment such as the edTPA; and (2) a Maryland institution-developed portfolio assessment that meets MSDE or recognized national-accreditor standards. Meadows also highlighted an MSDE-sponsored registered teacher apprenticeship as a pathway. For candidates from out of state, the school-psychologist amendments call for explicit documentation that a candidate completed a 1,200-hour internship with at least 600 hours in a school setting in order to meet compact requirements.

Reciprocity for military and foreign service members: Meadows explained a new regulation that provides a non‑application reciprocity pathway for military service members and foreign service members (and spouses) based on proof of orders; the pathway allows a service member to use an out‑of‑state license while orders are valid but requires that individuals apply for Maryland licensure if they remain after orders end. Members asked about midyear expirations; Meadows said staff collections occur on Oct. 15 and recommended applicants apply for Maryland licensure before orders expire.

Committee action: the employment-history regulation was recommended for adoption; multiple other items were moved to publish for public comment. Members asked for clarity on portfolio approval and scoring (Meadows said institutions develop portfolios and either a national accreditor or MSDE will review the assessment system during program review).