Maryland board receives teacher workforce update: rising conditional licenses, persistent diversity gaps

MSDE staff briefed the State Board on teacher supply, demand and diversity, showing progress in some areas and continuing challenges in others.

The department reported roughly 63,220 licensed teachers statewide (October snapshot) and a statewide attrition rate of 10.7% in the most recent year. Staff highlighted a rise in conditionally licensed teachers — a population that has grown significantly since the pandemic-era emergency credentials — and noted that nearly two‑thirds of applicants approved for Maryland licensure were entering from out of state in the most recent data period.

Kelly Meadows, who leads teacher effectiveness work, said the teacher workforce is “gradually diversifying,” but she emphasized a persistent gap between student and teacher race/ethnicity: statewide the difference between the percentage of students of color and teachers of color stands at roughly 36 percentage points and varies by local education agency.

Board discussion focused on the rapid increase in conditional licenses (used by districts to fill vacancies), how to prioritize professional learning for teachers who need the micro‑credential literacy training, and the role of the career ladder and National Board support in retention. Staff described nine licensure pathways adopted in recent regulatory revisions and new district-level (in‑district) pathways intended to expand local preparation options.

MSDE staff flagged several planned actions: an educator dashboard to be published by January 1, 2025, additional outreach and marketing for recruitment (including recent advertising pilots), expanded National Board candidate supports and a near-term rollout of an in‑district training pathway. They also said they will provide the State Board with previews of the educator dashboard before public release.