MarylandHB 07482026 Regular SessionHouse

Publicly Funded Prekindergarten - Early Childhood Educator Career Ladder for Private Providers - New Pathways

Sponsored By: Bernice Mireku-North (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Primary and Secondary EducationClassifications and DesignationsEarly Childhood EducationEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.EvidencePrivate Schools -see also- Primary Schools; Secondary SchTeachersTimeWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New career ladder for private pre-K educators

Maryland creates a three-level career ladder for private pre‑K educators. MSDE must set it up by July 1, 2025. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. Pay must be adequate and go up as you move up the ladder. The ladder also provides job‑embedded training to build skills.

Lead teacher rules and yearly training

You can be a Level 2 lead teacher with a bachelor’s in early childhood, child development, or a related field, a verified foreign bachelor’s, a bachelor’s in another field, or with 10+ years of early childhood experience at 20 hours per week and 180 days per year. Non‑degree paths must also meet MSDE’s minimum CLASS score. To keep Level 2 status, you must finish at least 20 working hours of professional learning each year.

Mentors, deadlines, and advanced pre-K roles

If you became a lead teacher by the 10‑year experience path on or before July 1, 2024, you must earn an associate degree by July 1, 2030. If you qualified after July 1, 2024, you must earn it within 6 months of qualifying. Level 3 consulting teachers mentor Level 1 and 2 staff to help meet these timelines. Starting in the 2027–2028 school year, Level 3 teachers must hold or be pursuing early childhood certification and supervise instruction where practicable.

Who qualifies as assistant teacher

To be a Level 1 assistant, you must have a high school diploma. Then meet one of these: already hold a CDA (preschool) or an associate in early childhood or child development; earn and keep a CDA or associate within 3 years of hire; have 15 years of documented early childhood work at 20 hours per week and 180 days per year; or earn a CDA or associate within 3 months of hire.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Bernice Mireku-North
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Julie Palakovich Carr
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 175 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/12/2026