NOTE: for Additional Details and Information, All Handouts Are Stored and Filed Chronologically

Action Items  April 2, 2015 minutes unapproved - no quorum  Agenda items for the June 4, 2015 meeting o The board will discuss and hear updates on: . Approval of April and May Minutes . State Board of Education (SBOE) Report . Special Education/Early Childhood Workgroup . Discussion SB 635

Preliminary Items State Board Update  There is no SBOE update this month since the SBOE April meeting was AN UPDATE ON THE PROFESSIONAL cancelled. STANDARDS AND TEACHER  The next meeting is scheduled May 19, 2015. EDUCATION BOARD PREPARED BY: MARYLAND STATE EDUCATION Discussion Items ASSOCIATION · NEA SB 251/HB 947 Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board - School Counselors - Certification Renewal Requirement (Lauryn's Law) Ms. Amanda Stakem Conn, Esq., executive director, Office of Government May 7, 2015 Relations, noted that the bills discussed today have not yet been signed by the Governor. The last bill signing scheduled for April 28, 2015, was canceled due to the state of emergency. The next bill signing for education bills is scheduled for May 12 and both are on the list. Note: Being on the list does not signify that they will be automatically signed into law. PSTEB GOALS: Bill Summary: Goal #1: Identify and address inconsistencies and conflicts existing If signed, SB 251/HB 947 will take into effect July 1, 2015. The bill requires that in certification regulation through review of current statutes and the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board (PSTEB) mandates appropriate actions. school counselors applying for a certificate renewal, demonstrate new skills, by a Goal #2: Explore ways to method determined by PSTEB, no later than July 1, 2016. maximize both the traditional and non- traditional preparation options leading to educator certification in Maryland. In the bill, counselors are required to understand and respond to the social, Goal #3: Recognize and uphold high standards for teacher quality emotional, and personal development of students, including knowledge and skills through the certification process. relating to:

Goal #4: Adopt new areas of (1) the recognition of indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress, certification required to meet shifting and expanding educational including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance opportunities for students initiated by state and local stakeholders. abuse; and (2) the identification of professional resources to help students in crisis.

PSTEB must adopt regulations to implement the bill.

Ms. Sarah Spross, the new interim assistant state superintendent for Certification and Accreditation, shared that Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) had to explain to the legislators that the current language was not going to make any substantial change in practice because these content areas are already included in a counselor’s master’s program. We had to convince them to understand what is currently in the law and in practice; and that counselors hold a professional license with requirements to keep that license valid. Highlights:  The bill requires six credits to renew certificate. The law is silent about what the coursework can be. Discussion was held about what PSTEB could require.

Comments:  Dr. Donna Newcomer, PSTEB member, stated that if we are so specific we are undermining that counselors are professionals that can choose appropriate course work.  Member asked if this bill extends to social workers. Response: No just school counselors.  Mr. Darren Hornbeck, Chair, shared that we must also look at the caseload of counselors. There should be regulation to properly staff counselors and ensure their caseload is not impacted by day-to-day school issues such as proctoring for a test when an educator is absent. o Ms. Dawn Pipkin, PSTEB member, agreed that some counselors have to be testing examiners because we need certified teachers.  Dr. Colleen Eisenbeiser, PSTEB member, asked if the course requirement would be a one-time requirement or required during each renewal. Response: Not clearly specified in the bill.  Mr. Phillip Kaufman, PSTEB member, shared the ratio of hiring of counselors at the high school level versus the elementary level. He often hears that one is enough at the elementary level. Unfortunately, lowering the ratio is impacted by budget. He also states that the ratio is worse for school psychologist (about 2,000 to 1).  Dr. Newcomer stated that we need to be responsive; as a nation we have mental health issues growing faster than we have resources.

Action: PSTEB asked that MSDE Staff convene a workgroup that would investigate these concerns and provide recommendations for them to consider. The vote for this workgroup could not take place due to the absence of a quorum, so it will be revisited at the June meeting.

Task of the workgroup would be three-pronged: 1) Review data and research – Determine if counselors are adequately staffed

2) Offer recommendations

3) Ways to indicate solutions for moving forward

SB 635 State Board of Education and the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board - Alternative Teacher Certification Program Ms. Conn shared that Washington County Board of Education wanted to establish an alternative teacher certification program for certain areas of the State. The original bill was completely re-written after legislators received advice from MSDE legal counsel that it violated the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (federal law). The act clearly states that only the State Department can certify teachers in Maryland. Ms. Spross also shared that MSDE had to inform the legislators that there are currently many pathways to getting certified in Maryland such as credit count, transcript analysis, etc. After many discussions, the bill was re-written. NOTE: For additional details and information, all handouts are stored and filed chronologically in the PSTEB cabinet on the 4th floor. MSEA PSTEB 5/7/2015-Page 2 Highlights of bill:  The State Board of Education, the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board, and at least two local education agencies shall consider and, if appropriate, develop an alternative teacher certification program for areas of the State experiencing a critical teacher shortage.  On or before December 1, 2015, the State Board of Education shall report the results, if appropriate, to the General Assembly.

Continuing Professional Development Ms. Michelle Dunkle, MSDE staff, provided PSTEB with an overview of the K-12 professional development P12 dashboards.

Highlights:  The P12 Dashboards feature charts and tables to inform Maryland citizens about data collected by the MSDE  The dashboard also includes course offerings that: o include extensive lists of coursework across the state o help educators deal with students with all ranges of life learning experiences o meet alignment with the Maryland College and Career Standards  Note: To view the site go to:

o http://www.learnmd.org/Pages/MSDEProgram.aspx (Click on K-12 dashboard jpg image) NOTE: For additional details and information, all handouts are stored and filed chronologically in the PSTEB cabinet on the 4th floor. MSEA PSTEB 5/7/2015-Page 3 NOTE: For additional details and information, all handouts are stored and filed chronologically in the PSTEB cabinet on the 4th floor. MSEA PSTEB 5/7/2015-Page 4