State Board approves childcare COMAR amendments, educator licensure changes and sets legislative platform

At its Dec. 5 meeting the State Board of Education voted on several regulatory and policy items after staff presentations and public discussion.

Childcare regulations (COMAR 13A.15 family childcare; 13A.16 childcare centers; 13A.17 letters of compliance; 13A.18 large family childcare homes): after staff clarified revisions (notably to prohibit vaping and cannabis use during hours and to add notice provisions when those substances are present during non‑operational hours), the board voted to adopt the amendments. Miss McCusker moved the motion and Abasola Ayala seconded; the board approved the adoption by voice vote.

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (COMAR 13A.080.102‑3): MSDE asked permission to publish revised regulations to align state rules with Education Article §7‑210, require administration of a state‑approved KRA to all incoming kindergartners (rather than a sample), and set an October 10 deadline in statute. The board voted to permit publication for public comment after discussing the assessment window and guidance to districts.

Educator licensure (COMAR 13A.07.01‑07 and 13A.07.06): the board adopted comprehensive changes to licensure pathways and renewal options intended to expand routes to professional certification and modernize renewal requirements. Several board members voiced concern about the National Board's competency requirement for a reading method that some members said conflicts with the "science of reading;" the board's interim superintendent said MSDE would engage the National Board. The licensure motion passed, with at least one abstention recorded.

Legislative platform for 2024: the Education Policy Committee recommended a platform emphasizing full funding for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, fiscal prudence, collaborative state‑local relationships and opposition to unfunded mandates. The board adopted the platform to guide positions and testimony during the upcoming 90‑day General Assembly session.

Votes at a glance:
- Adopt COMAR 13A.15/13A.16/13A.17/13A.18 (childcare regs): approved (voice vote).
- Permission to publish COMAR 13A.080.102‑3 (KRA): approved (motion carried).
- Adopt COMAR 13A.07 (educator licensure): approved (motion carried; at least one abstention).
- Adopt State Board 2024 legislative platform: approved (motion carried).

Board members instructed MSDE to continue conversations with stakeholders about National Board alignment, KRA windows, and to provide implementation guidance and staff support to local districts for all newly adopted rules.