Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program Workgroup - Establishment

Workgroup to design early teacher pathway in Southern Maryland

The law creates the Southern Maryland Early College Teacher Pathway Program and a workgroup. The University System of Maryland must convene the group and write recommendations, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Education and the Higher Education Commission. The plan builds a credit‑bearing path for high school students to start teacher prep. It focuses on underrepresented and rural students and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline. Members include state leaders, universities, the Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s school chiefs, and local teachers’ unions. The Governor includes $125,000 in FY2028 and $125,000 in FY2029 to fund this work. The University must report by June 30, 2029 with the design, an implementation plan, needed law or rule changes, and how funds were used. After the plan is complete, the Maryland Department of Education, with the Higher Education Commission, administers the program. The act takes effect July 1, 2026 and ends June 30, 2030.