Maryland’s education department will run a Southern Maryland teacher pathway

The State Department of Education must administer and implement the program. The program gives high school students a credit-bearing path to begin preparing to teach elementary or secondary school, with goals that include access for rural students and students underrepresented in higher education. The Department must consult the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The Department’s duty begins after the University System completes development of the program.

The University System must convene a workgroup to develop recommendations for the program and teacher preparation pathway. The workgroup focuses on the Southern Maryland program and teacher preparation pathway. The workgroup includes state, college, school system, and educator representatives, plus any other members designated by the University System. Recommendations must cover the pathway’s structure, an implementation plan, and any needed legal or regulatory changes. By June 30, 2029, the University System must report the recommendations and how state funds were used to the education department, the higher education commission, the Governor, and specified General Assembly committees.

Program students must be treated as dually enrolled students and may not be charged program-related costs. This applies to students in the Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program. The no-charge rule covers costs related to enrollment or participation, including tuition and mandatory fees. The no-charge rule applies to program enrollment and participation.