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MarylandHB 05042025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

28 provisions identified: 19 benefits, 4 costs, 5 mixed.

Moving teachers can get relocation grants

Eligible teachers moving from another state can receive a one-time relocation grant of up to $2,000. They need a full, unrestricted out-of-state teaching license and a signed Maryland public school contract. They must agree to teach at least two years in a school receiving Concentration of Poverty funding. A county board must apply with the license, contract, and other required information. No awards may be made after June 30, 2029.

School workers get paid teacher pathways

Grow Your Own applicants need a school-based job in a participating system, a high school diploma or equivalent, and an approved licensure pathway. The noncertified employee definition excludes certificated bargaining-unit, managerial, and confidential employees. Candidates must receive pay and benefits at least equal to comparable support staff or provisional teachers under the applicable bargaining agreement. School systems cannot reduce candidates' compensation or benefits. College-based programs must have written billing agreements stating cohort and prorated noncompletion costs, while protecting candidates from tuition, book, and fee charges.

State funds student behavioral health services

The Governor must budget money for the Coordinated Community Supports Partnership Fund for student behavioral health and related services. Required amounts are $25 million for fiscal 2022, $50 million for 2023, and $85 million for 2024. The law lists both $40 million and $70 million for fiscal 2025. It requires $100 million for fiscal 2027 and each year after. This money funds services, not direct payments to families.

Schools get English learner funding schedule

English learner school funding per qualifying student is $9,041 in fiscal 2026, $9,148 in 2027, and $9,327 in 2028. Amounts are $9,613 in 2029, $9,794 in 2030, $10,069 in 2031, $10,232 in 2032, and $10,510 in 2033. After 2033, the prior year's amount rises with inflation and rounds to the nearest dollar. These amounts determine school funding based on English learner enrollment, not payments to families.

Schools get new funding targets

Maryland sets these per-student foundation funding targets: fiscal 2026, $9,063; 2027, $9,561; 2028, $9,789; 2029, $10,200; and 2030, $10,625. Targets continue at $11,047 in 2031, $11,483 in 2032, $11,931 in 2033, $12,381 in 2034, and $12,843 in 2035. After 2035, targets rise with inflation and round to the nearest dollar. Related school funding formulas specify growth rates of 4.97% in 2026, 5.48% in 2027, 4.17% in 2028, and 4.20% in 2029. Those rates are 4.17% in 2030, 3.98% in 2031, 3.99% in 2032, and 3.93% in 2033; later rates equal the annual dollar change divided by the prior year's amount.

Schools get revised compensatory education funding

Maryland sets compensatory education funding per qualifying student at $7,842 in fiscal 2026, $7,786 in 2027, and $7,908 in 2028. Amounts are $8,029 in 2029, $8,363 in 2030, $8,582 in 2031, $8,448 in 2032, and $9,026 in 2033. After 2033, the prior year's amount rises with inflation and rounds to the nearest dollar. This money funds schools based on qualifying enrollment; it is not a household payment.

Special education funding includes qualifying preschoolers

Special education funding per student is $9,503 in fiscal 2026, $10,900 in 2027, $12,368 in 2028, and $14,367 in 2029. It reaches $16,836 in 2030, $17,277 in 2031, $17,609 in 2032, and $18,053 in 2033. Later amounts rise with inflation and round to the nearest dollar. Funding counts include publicly funded prekindergarten students who needed services under federal special education law in the prior fiscal year. Students enrolled in or attending the Maryland School for the Blind, Maryland School for the Deaf, or state-operated education programs are excluded.

Teacher candidates face service and assignment limits

Grow Your Own candidates must teach full-time in Maryland public schools or public prekindergarten for at least two years in a state-identified shortage subject. Separately, the program's purpose describes a three-year pledge in their current system in a high-needs school, grade, or shortage subject. Candidates generally cannot be teachers of record or substitute for teachers other than their mentors. Daily substitute work requires the candidate's agreement, mentor and principal approval, and compliance with the local bargaining agreement. Assignment limits do not apply to provisional teachers.

High-poverty schools wait for full grants

Eligible schools receive 100% of their calculated per-student Concentration of Poverty grant starting in fiscal 2032. Previously, full funding began in fiscal 2030. The law delays that full-funding date by two fiscal years.

School funding increases face revenue cap

Beginning in fiscal 2026, Maryland caps covered school funding increases at 0% when a revenue test is triggered. The test adds December's General Fund estimate and Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund estimate. The cap applies when that sum is at least 3.75% below March's General Fund estimate. It covers major per-student aid formula increases and other required education funding increases. The Governor must include the cap in the next legislative session's annual budget bill.

Schools share poverty grants with safeguards

County boards may spend up to 40% of poverty grant funds centrally for services that directly benefit eligible schools. The system must have at least 10 eligible schools, or at least 35% of its schools must qualify. Boards must consult eligible schools, submit a plan to the state education department, and give each participating school itemized service and administrative costs. Charter schools participate only by choice. School systems can also request distribution flexibility through the department's appeals process, replacing the Accountability and Implementation Board's process.

Teachers phase into classroom-time rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, required classroom-teaching shares for career-ladder teachers phase in over seven years under state-approved county schedules. New teachers receive priority for time outside class, especially in low-performing or high-poverty schools; teachers in those schools or schools with large achievement gaps also receive priority. Collaborative-time funding per county enrollment is $334 in fiscal 2029, $512 in 2030, $698 in 2031, and $891 in 2032. It reaches $1,093 in 2033, $1,306 in 2034, and $1,527 in 2035, then rises with inflation. Schools must receive and spend the enrollment-based amounts under county plans approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board.

Counties can exceed school property tax limits

Counties may raise property tax rates or collections above charter limits solely to fund approved school board budgets. This includes county payments to the Teachers’ Pension System and Teachers’ Retirement System on the board’s behalf. All revenue above the charter limit must go to the school board. Counties cannot cut other local funding for the board below the current county budget level. Counties using this authority must report rates, extra revenue, and appropriations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31 each year.

School leadership mentors can receive stipends

School leaders selected as mentors for the Maryland School Leadership Academy may receive a stipend. Payment is optional, and the law does not set an amount or guarantee payment to every mentor.

Teacher candidates get structured training support

Grow Your Own applicants must plan member roles, school placements, shortage subjects, administration, required college credits, and mentoring throughout each candidate's program. Mentor assignments must meet supervision, training, employment-continuity, and bargaining requirements. School systems and employee organizations must negotiate gradual release from duties so candidates can focus mainly on required internships and practicums. Recruitment plans must prioritize linguistic diversity and racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in teaching, and explain how support continues afterward. Beginning July 1, 2025, the state must consult an experienced national nonprofit on program design, delivery, evaluation, and quality measures.

Community school director gains staff support

The Director of Community Schools now sits within the Office of Community Schools and Expanded Learning Time. The Office may hire staff to help the Director guide local school systems and community school coordinators. Local school systems use the Director’s evaluation form.

Community schools can offer more support

Community school support services now include evidence-based tutoring delivered in school, in person, during the school day. They also include efforts to improve attendance and reduce chronic absences. Coordinators may arrange multilingual learner courses, replacing the narrower reference to English language learner courses.

Community schools must track service goals

Community school plans must set measurable goals based on assessed needs, with progress checked at least every two years. Coordinators must review school plans annually. Systems authorized to spend for community schools must create countywide plans incorporating school plans and needs-based goals checked at least biennially. The state education department may set requirements for both kinds of plans. When a school fails to follow its approved spending plan, the department may direct the county board to spend a reasonable share on its behalf.

School leaders get new training programs

Maryland must establish system leadership training and a Maryland School Leadership Academy. The State Superintendent, county superintendents, and specified board chairs and vice chairs must complete the 12-month system program. Its evidence-based training is tailored to cohorts and offered in person and online. Principals, assistant principals, other eligible leaders, and selected participants may attend the Academy. Academy priority goes to leaders working in, or interested in transferring to, community schools or low-performing schools.

School oversight board funding gains protection

The Governor must include the Accountability and Implementation Board’s jointly certified funding in each state budget bill without changes. The Governor and the General Assembly’s presiding officers must jointly certify that funding. The law sets no dollar amount.

Special education funding gets independent review

By January 1, 2026, Maryland's education department must contract for an independent special education funding study. The Governor must budget enough money for it. The study covers special education and prekindergarten costs, long-term spending assumptions, needs-based funding weights, and minimum school funding compliance. It must seek input from county boards, nonpublic special education schools, advocates, and special education organizations. The department must report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by December 15, 2026.

Struggling schools get targeted academic coaching

Maryland's Academic Excellence Program provides coaching and sustained teacher training in school systems that opt in through cooperative agreements. School selection uses accountability data and prioritizes low proficiency and recent achievement declines. Fiscal 2026 and 2027 focus on early reading and elementary educators; later work expands subjects and grades, especially basic math, with professional learning coordinators beginning in 2028. A dedicated, nonlapsing fund supports grants for services, training, implementation, administration, evaluation, reporting, and other approved costs. The fund accepts appropriations and other accepted money, but Blueprint money cannot fund the program or transfer into its fund; interest goes to the Blueprint fund.

Students get funded career counseling

County school boards must send career counseling funds to local workforce development boards for middle and high school students. Funding equals $62 times county enrollment in fiscal 2024. For fiscal 2025 through 2028, the prior year's per-enrollment amount rises with inflation. Workforce boards deliver the program with schools, relevant agencies, and employers.

Teacher recruitment can include free mentoring

Beginning July 1, 2025, Maryland may run a national campaign to recruit licensed and prospective teachers. The campaign also addresses teacher shortages and reliance on conditional licenses. The education department must consult an experienced national education nonprofit on campaign design, delivery, and evaluation. The nonprofit must offer prospective candidates free one-to-one mentoring and support. The campaign uses public announcements, digital marketing, and direct outreach, and must end on or before July 1, 2029.

Teacher training partnerships gain grant options

Beginning January 1, 2026, Maryland must award competitive Grow Your Own grants to school systems in qualifying partnerships. Standard partnerships include a school system, employee organization, and Maryland college; the college no longer needs an approved teacher-preparation program. Grants may cover tuition, books, fees, mentor stipends, and administration, with priority for college partners offering to negotiate lower tuition. Maryland may also fund qualifying school-system and employee-organization partnerships offering coursework without college enrollment. Registered apprenticeship grant priorities favor multiple-system, multiple-organization partnerships and the state's standardized on-the-job curriculum; Maryland colleges may bid to provide related instruction.

Community school support funding loses minimum

The law removes the former $100,000 minimum for community school training, technical help, and added staff. The Governor may include funding for these purposes through the Maryland Department of Education. Funding remains optional, and no new amount is guaranteed.

School AI tools get temporary exemption

During school years 2025–2026 through 2027–2028, Education Article § 7-910 does not apply to covered artificial intelligence tools. The exemption covers buying or using tools to support student learning. Tools must meet Maryland's legal definition of artificial intelligence. This eases the covered requirements for schools while removing their application to those tools during the exemption period.

Academic Excellence Fund keeps eligible interest

Eligible interest on state money allocated to the Maryland Academic Excellence Fund stays with that Fund instead of the General Fund. The exception also applies under the separate rules for fiscal years 2024–2028. Federal requirements and any applicable gift or settlement terms still apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 510 • No: 442

House vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 101 • No: 38 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 34 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Floor Amendment {773521/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected

Yes: 17 • No: 27 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 33 • No: 13

House vote • 3/11/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 100 • No: 39 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

Floor Amendment {793326/1 (Delegate Nkongolo) Rejected

Yes: 40 • No: 95 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/5/2025

Motion Vote Previous Question (Delegate J. Lewis) Adopted

Yes: 109 • No: 22 • Other: 6

House vote • 3/5/2025

Floor Amendment (Delegate Fisher) Rejected

Yes: 39 • No: 97 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

Floor Amendment {123026/1 (Delegate Adams) Rejected

Yes: 37 • No: 98 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 237

    5/6/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/7/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (34-13)

    4/7/2025Senate

  4. Conference Committee Report {463129/1 Adopted

    4/7/2025Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (101-38)

    4/7/2025House

  6. Conference Committee Report {463129/1 Adopted

    4/7/2025House

  7. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Guzzone, King, Watson and Salling)

    4/5/2025House

  8. Senate Refuses Recede

    4/5/2025House

  9. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Guzzone, King, Watson and Salling)

    4/5/2025Senate

  10. Senate Refuses Recede

    4/5/2025Senate

  11. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Barnes, Atterbeary and Smith)

    4/5/2025Senate

  12. House Requests Senate Recede

    4/5/2025Senate

  13. House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments

    4/5/2025Senate

  14. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Barnes, Atterbeary and Smith)

    4/4/2025House

  15. House Requests Senate Recede

    4/4/2025House

  16. House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments

    4/4/2025House

  17. Third Reading Passed (33-13)

    4/1/2025Senate

  18. Floor Amendment {773521/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (17-27)

    4/1/2025Senate

  19. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/31/2025Senate

  20. Favorable with Amendments {573327/1 Adopted

    3/31/2025Senate

  21. Motion Laid Over (Senator Guzzone) Adopted

    3/28/2025Senate

  22. Favorable with Amendments {573327/1

    3/28/2025Senate

  23. Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

    3/28/2025Senate

  24. Referred Budget and Taxation Education, Energy, and the Environment

    3/12/2025Senate

  25. Third Reading Passed (100-39)

    3/11/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/7/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/5/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/22/2025

    PDF

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