reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1003 - Duties Required of Teachers on Career Ladder -- Requirements for Assistant Principal

(a)    Beginning with teachers listed under § 6–1002(f)(3) of this subtitle, as specified by the State Board, a teacher on level one, two, or three of the career ladder shall:
(1)    Teach in the classroom on average 60% of the teacher’s working time; and
(2)    Spend the remaining time on other teacher activities, including:
(i)    Improving instruction;
(ii)    Identifying, working with, and tutoring students who need additional help;
(iii)    Working with the most challenging students;
(iv)    Working with students living in concentrated poverty; and
(v)    Leading or participating in professional learning.
(b)    (1)    An assistant principal is on level three of the career ladder and shall:
(i)    Be an NBC teacher; or
(ii)    Have an advanced professional certificate for administration.
(2)    Beginning with teachers listed under § 6–1002(f)(3) of this subtitle, as specified by the State Board, an assistant principal shall:
(i)    Teach in the classroom for at least 20% of their working hours; and
(ii)    Spend the remaining time on other teacher activities, including:
1.    Setting priorities for the subject level departments of the school; and
2.    Fulfilling specialized roles, such as head of professional development.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1005 - Local Career Ladder Development Board -- Members -- Setting Standards for Tiers

(a)    Each county board may convene a local career ladder development board.
(b)    The membership of the local career ladder development board shall include advanced teachers and stakeholders.
(c)    The local career ladder development board shall set standards for teachers to achieve each tier in the teacher leadership track in the county.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1007 - Movement Up Career Ladder Dependencies -- Experience Considered -- Increased Responsibility and Salary for Teachers -- Approval of Principal

(a)    (1)    In addition to the other requirements of this subtitle, movement up the career ladder shall depend on:
(i)    The teacher’s performance;
(ii)    The teacher’s experience; and
(iii)    The availability of positions.
(2)    A teacher may not be promoted to the next level or tier on the career ladder unless:
(i)    The most recent evaluation of the teacher’s instruction by the principal or other individual, as determined by the county board, is effective;
(ii)    The teacher, principal or supervisor, or any other individual, as determined by the county board, agree that the teacher is ready to take on the additional responsibilities required by the position at the next level; and
(iii)    There is an open position at the next level.
(3)    Promotion up the career ladder is not guaranteed.
(b)    In choosing a candidate for an open position in the career ladder, consideration shall be given to the candidate’s experience in schools that represent the demographic and economic diversity of the school system.
(c)    As a teacher moves up the career ladder and receives effective evaluations, the teacher shall be given increased authority, responsibility, and autonomy for making school–level decisions.
(d)    Movement from one level or tier to a higher level or tier shall result in a salary increase consistent with § 6–1009 of this subtitle.
(e)    A teacher may move from one track of the career ladder to a different track with the approval of the principal of the school in which they teach.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1008 - Teachers Encouraged to Pursue an Nbc and Master's Degrees

(a)    Teachers are encouraged to obtain an NBC and participate in the career ladder.
(b)    (1)    In this subsection, “Program” means the program established under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2)    (i)    There is a Program to:
1.    Encourage and support teachers in the State in obtaining and maintaining an NBC, including teachers from groups historically underrepresented in the teaching profession; and
2.    Develop a culture of collaborative support for accomplished teaching.
(ii)    The Program shall include:
1.    A virtual course for teachers interested in pursuing an NBC;
2.    Virtual and in–person support to teachers pursuing an NBC; and
3.    Training and support for National Board Facilitators.
(3)    The Department shall establish a National Board Coordinator to direct the Program, including by coordinating with the Local National Board Coordinators and the National Board Facilitators in each school system or region.
(4)    Each local superintendent shall select a Local National Board Coordinator to:
(i)    Organize the delivery of the Program in each local school system by collaborating with:
1.    Local teacher preparation programs and nonprofit organizations that have a record of success in helping teachers obtain NBC;
2.    The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, which has established resources and tools for teachers seeking NBC; and
3.    Representatives of employee organizations designated as the exclusive negotiating agent for the public school employees in a unit of the county;
(ii)    Recruit, train, and support National Board Facilitators in the region; and
(iii)    Collaborate with the National Board Coordinator.
(5)    A local superintendent may choose to enter into a regional agreement to implement the Program with one or more local school systems.
(6)    (i)    National Board Facilitators shall provide teachers in the local school system or in the region with virtual and in–person support and coaching in obtaining and maintaining an NBC.
(ii)    National Board Facilitators shall be selected:
1.    By the local superintendent; or
2.    If the local superintendent entered into a regional agreement under paragraph (5) of this subsection, in a manner as specified under the agreement.
(c)    County boards shall encourage teachers to obtain master’s degrees in fields that require special expertise, have shortage areas, and enhance the teacher’s professional skills and qualifications so that teachers are able to teach dual–enrollment courses as adjunct faculty at institutions of higher education including by providing additional compensation as appropriate and through collective bargaining.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1010 - Teacher Evaluation Systems Used in Connection With Career Ladder -- Use of Observations

(a)    Teacher evaluation systems used in connection with the career ladder shall:
(1)    Be aligned with the five core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;
(2)    Include a peer assistance and review model;
(3)    Define the system’s expectations for an evaluator’s level of skill and knowledge; and
(4)    Include a calibrated method to measure performance and to provide personalized feedback that is aligned with the teacher’s strengths, needs, and professional learning context.
(b)    An evaluation system used in connection with a career ladder shall use observations to evaluate a teacher that:
(1)    Include documented observable evidence;
(2)    Are linked to student learning and not solely consist of simple checklists;
(3)    Include post observation conferences between the teacher and evaluator to encourage reflection on the teacher’s teaching practice;
(4)    Require an assessment of the competency of the evaluator;
(5)    Are developed with stakeholders; and
(6)    Require teachers and evaluators to be fully trained to understand the evaluation process.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1011 - New System of Professional Development -- Provided to Each Teacher

(a)    (1)    On or before July 1, 2024, the Department shall develop and design a new system of professional development that is tied to the career ladder.
(2)    The new system of professional development shall include:
(i)    Training on how to lead and mentor teams of professionals to promote professional learning among colleagues;
(ii)    Training on how to collaborate with colleagues to improve student performance;
(iii)    Training on how to design and support collaborative professional learning for teachers pursuing an NBC;
(iv)    A train–the–trainer model; and
(v)    Advanced training on the science of learning specific to individual disciplines.
(b)    On or before June 30, 2026, each county board shall provide the system of professional development designed by the Department under subsection (a) of this section to each teacher who teaches in the county.
(c)    Beginning on July 1, 2026, each county board shall provide the system of professional development designed by the Department under subsection (a) of this section to each teacher teaching in the county no later than 1 year after the teacher begins teaching in the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1012 - Fee Amount for Teacher Pursuing Nbc -- County Portion Paid to State for Teacher Pursuing Nbc -- Reimbursement if Requirements Not Completed

(a)    (1)    Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, each teacher who pursues NBC shall receive from the State an amount equal to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards fees associated with the initial completion and renewal of NBC.
(2)    Each teacher may only receive payment under this subsection for one retake of each assessment on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
(b)    Each county shall pay to the State one–third of the cost for each teacher who receives funds under subsection (a) of this section to pursue NBC.
(c)    (1)    A teacher who does not complete all the requirements for assessment by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards shall reimburse the State the full amount of the funds received under subsection (a) of this section.
(2)    The State shall reimburse the county the amount received under subsection (b) of this section on receipt of the reimbursement from a teacher under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3)    The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection do not apply to a teacher who completes all the requirements for assessment by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards but does not obtain NBC.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 6 - Teachers and Other Personnel › Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators › Section 6-1013 - Regulations Adopted by State Board

The State Board, in consultation with the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board and the Accountability and Implementation Board established under § 5–402 of this article, shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-101.1 - Prekindergarten Programs

(a)    (1)    In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Economically disadvantaged background” means a family whose income would make a child eligible for free or reduced price meals if the child were in kindergarten.
(3)    “Eligible child” means a child:
(i)    Who is from an economically disadvantaged background;
(ii)    Whose parent or guardian seeks to enroll the child in a public prekindergarten program; and
(iii)    Who is 4 years old on September 1 of the school year in which the parent or legal guardian seeks to enroll the child in a public prekindergarten program.
(4)    “Eligible for free or reduced price meals” means eligible for free or reduced price meals based on eligibility requirements established by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(b)    By the 2007–2008 school year, all eligible children shall be admitted free of charge to publicly funded prekindergarten programs established by each of the county boards.
(e)    In the comprehensive master plan that is submitted under § 5–401 of this article, a county board shall identify the strategies that will be used in that county to ensure that publicly funded prekindergarten programs are available to all eligible children in that county by the 2007–2008 school year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-101.3 - State Funding for Federal Expansion Grants

For each fiscal year in which the Department receives an Expansion Grant through the federal Preschool Development Grants Program, the Governor shall include in the State budget for that fiscal year, in addition to the amount required under § 7–101.2(d) of this subtitle, an appropriation of State funds equal to the amount that the State committed to fund as the State match in its application to the United States Department of Education for the Expansion Grant.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-102 - Disclosure Affidavits for Parents of Children Entering Prince George's County Schools

(a)    The Prince George’s County Board shall develop an affidavit of disclosure form to be completed and signed by the parents or guardians of a student who is entering the public schools of Prince George’s County.
(b)    By regulation, the county board shall make completion of an affidavit of disclosure a prerequisite for admission to the public schools.
(c)    The purpose of the affidavit of disclosure is limited to ascertaining from the parents or guardians of a student in the public schools:
(1)    Their legal residence; and
(2)    The duration of their residency in this State.
(d)    The parents or guardians who complete the affidavit of disclosure shall attest to the truth of the information in the affidavit by their signature which shall be witnessed by the individuals designated by the county board under appropriate rules and regulations.
(e)    (1)    Failure to complete the affidavit of disclosure truthfully by a parent or guardian is a misdemeanor.
(2)    Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $250.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-103.1 - Innovative School Scheduling Models for Low-Performing or At-Risk Public Schools

(a)    The State Board shall explore the use of innovative school scheduling models, including extended year, year–round schooling, or other school scheduling models that do not allow for prolonged lapses in instructional time, in low–performing or at–risk public schools.
(b)    The State Board shall encourage county boards to use the school scheduling models that are determined to be most effective in enhancing student achievement in low–performing or at–risk public schools.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-104 - Daily Period of Silent Meditation

(a)    Principals and teachers in each public elementary and secondary school in this State may require all students to be present and participate in opening exercises on each morning of a school day and to meditate silently for approximately 1 minute.
(b)    During this period, a student or teacher may read the holy scripture or pray.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-105 - Display of Flag; Patriotic Exercises

(a)    This section is enacted so that the love of freedom and democracy, shown in the devotion of all true and patriotic Americans to their flag and country, shall be instilled in the hearts and minds of the youth of America.
(b)    Each county board shall:
(1)    Require the display of an American flag on the site of each public school building in its county while the school is in session;
(2)    Buy all necessary flags, staffs, and appliances for the flags; and
(3)    Adopt rules and regulations for the proper custody, care, and display of the flag.
(c)    Each county board shall:
(1)    Provide each public school classroom with an American flag;
(2)    Prepare a program for each public school classroom for the beginning of each school day that provides for the salute to the flag and other patriotic exercises that are approved by the United States government; and
(3)    Require all students and teachers in charge to stand and face the flag and while standing give an approved salute and recite in unison the pledge of allegiance as follows: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
(d)    Any student or teacher who wishes to be excused from the requirements of subsection (c)(3) of this section shall be excused.
(e)    Each county board may provide for any other patriotic exercises it considers appropriate under the regulations and instruction that best meet the requirements of the different grades in the schools.
(f)    Any individual who commits an act of disrespect, either by word or action, is in violation of the intent of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-106 - Textbooks, Materials of Instruction, and Supplies

(a)    On the recommendation of the county superintendent and subject to the provisions of this article, each county board shall adopt procedures for the selection and purchase of the following necessary items, at the lowest price consistent with good quality, for use in the public schools:
(1)    Textbooks;
(2)    Supplementary readers;
(3)    Materials of instruction;
(4)    Visual and auditory aids;
(5)    Stationery; and
(6)    School supplies.
(b)    (1)    Each county board shall adopt procedures for the selection and purchase for use in each public school library or media center of a collection of books and auditory and visual materials concerning African American history.
(2)    The collection in each library or media center shall be appropriate for students in each age group and reading level in the school.
(c)    Each county board shall furnish the materials and supplies listed in subsection (a) of this section:
(1)    Free of cost for use in the public schools; and
(2)    In sufficient quantities for the different grades in the public schools.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-107 - Connection With Closed-Circuit Educational Television System by Private and Parochial Schools

On application and at no expense to the county or State, each county board may allow any private or parochial school to connect its facilities to a closed-circuit educational television system that is maintained for the use of the public school system for any program presented by way of the system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-108 - Use of School Property for Other Than School Purposes -- in General

(a)    Each county board shall encourage the use of public school facilities for community purposes.
(b)    (1)    If written application is made to the county superintendent, the county board shall provide for the use of a public school facility for:
(i)    The presentation and discussion of public questions;
(ii)    Public speaking;
(iii)    Lectures; or
(iv)    Other civic, educational, social, or recreational purposes or church affiliated civic purposes.
(2)    These meetings shall be open to the public.
(3)    The county board may refuse the use of any school facility for these purposes if it appears that the use is likely to:
(i)    Provoke or add to a public riot or breach of the peace; or
(ii)    Create a clear and present danger to the peace and welfare of the county or State.
(c)    Each county board may permit a partisan political organization that has polled 10 percent or more of the entire vote cast in this State in the last general election to use public school facilities for programs and meetings that relate to a political campaign for nomination or election of a candidate to public office.
(d)    Each county board may permit the use of public school facilities for religious or other lawful purposes.
(e)    Subject to § 7–109 of this subtitle, school facilities may be used only at times that will not interfere with regular school sessions or other bona fide school activities.
(f)    In Montgomery County, nonschool use of school facilities for public and community purposes and the manner by which costs associated with such use are apportioned may be regulated by local law consistent with the use criteria set forth in § 7–110 of this subtitle and not inconsistent with any other provisions of this article. The local law authorized by this subsection may provide for an interagency coordinating board and for the appointment of its members by Montgomery County. Membership may include the Superintendent of Schools, the President of Montgomery College, the members of the Montgomery County Planning Board, and such other members as may be provided by the local law.
(g)    In Talbot County, the county board may enter into a lease with an organization that operates a community–based educational and recreational program to use a public school facility if:
(1)    The county board does not anticipate a need for the public school facility during the term of the lease;
(2)    The county board determines that the public school system will benefit if the organization operates a community–based educational and recreational facility at the public school facility; and
(3)    The lease term is not longer than 99 years.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-109 - Use of School Property for Other Than School Purposes -- Priority for Day Care Program

(a)    If the program and public school facility comply with the rules and regulations of the Department that govern group child care centers, each county board:
(1)    Shall give priority to nonprofit child care programs for use of public school facilities before and after school hours;
(2)    May make space available during school hours; and
(3)    May lease any part of public school property for the construction or operation of a child care center if:
(i)    The county board determines that the property will not be needed for public school use during the term of the lease; and
(ii)    The term of the lease is not greater than 20 years.
(b)    Each county board shall adopt rules and regulations for implementing this program that are consistent with the rules and regulations of the Department that govern group child care centers.
(c)    Any additional costs incurred in the administration or support of these child care services shall be paid by the sponsoring organizations in accordance with an annual agreement with the county board that made the facilities available.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-110 - Use of School Property for Other Than School Purposes -- Charges for Use and Liability for Damages

(a)    (1)    A reasonable charge for heating, lighting, and janitorial services for use of public school facilities under §§ 7-108 and 7-109 of this subtitle may be made.
(2)    Charges for commercial use of surplus school space may include rent and recovery of capital costs, in addition to those items in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(b)    (1)    The person who applies for the use of school facilities shall be responsible for all damage to the property, other than ordinary wear and tear.
(2)    If the person does not pay for damages to the property, the county board may refuse any other application by that person for the use of the property until the damage is repaired without expense to the county board.
(c)    (1)    The person who applies for the use of school facilities shall leave the facilities after their use as clean as they were before the use.
(2)    If the person does not leave the facilities as clean as they were before the use, the county board may refuse to allow the person to use the facilities again.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-112 - Course Descriptions

When a county board publishes a listing or a description of a course or courses for an individual school or for the county school system, the county board shall include as a part of the listing or description specific information concerning:
(1)    The content of any course or any section of a course for which there are alternative activities available for a student who does not wish to participate in the course or section of the course;
(2)    The content of the alternative activities that are available; and
(3)    The methods by which a student can gain access to the alternative activities for a course or a section of a course.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-112.1 - Standardized Course Numbering System

(a)    Subject to the requirements of this section, the Department may develop a standardized course numbering system to facilitate the collection of data on student participation in courses offered by the public schools.
(b)    The course numbering system shall be available for adoption by each county school system on a voluntary basis.
(c)    If the Department requires a data collection involving course numbers, a county school system that has not adopted the State standardized course numbering system shall be responsible for providing a translation between the county school system’s course numbers and those in the State standardized course numbering system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-114 - Worker's Compensation Coverage for Students in Unpaid Work-Based Learning Experience Positions or Private Noncollegiate Institutions

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Private noncollegiate institution” means a school or other institution that is not under the general control and supervision of a county board of education.
(3)    “Unpaid work–based learning experience” means a program that provides a student with structured employer–supervised learning that:
(i)    Occurs in the workplace;
(ii)    Links with classroom instruction;
(iii)    Is coordinated by a county board or private noncollegiate institution; and
(iv)    Is conducted in accordance with the terms of an individual written work–based learning agreement between the county board of education or private noncollegiate institution placing a participating student and the employer of that participating student.
(b)    A student who has been placed with an employer in an unpaid work–based learning experience coordinated by a county board or private noncollegiate institution is a covered employee of that employer, as defined in Title 9 of the Labor and Employment Article, for the purposes of coverage under the State workers’ compensation laws.
(c)    (1)    The participating employer where a student is placed in an unpaid work–based learning experience under this section shall secure workers’ compensation coverage for that student.
(2)    The participating employer may satisfy its obligation to secure workers’ compensation coverage under this subsection if the county board or private noncollegiate institution that places the student in the unpaid work–based learning experience chooses to secure workers’ compensation coverage for that student.
(d)    (1)    The county board or private noncollegiate institution that places a student with an employer in an unpaid work–based learning experience under this section may secure workers’ compensation coverage for that student.
(2)    Subject to subsection (e) of this section, if a county board or private noncollegiate institution chooses to secure workers’ compensation coverage under this subsection, the participating employer shall reimburse the county board or private noncollegiate institution in an amount equal to the lesser of:
(i)    The cost of the premium for the workers’ compensation insurance coverage; or
(ii)    A fee of $250.
(e)    A county board may waive the requirement for reimbursement under subsection (d)(2) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-115 - Reciprocity Agreements for Interstate Transfer of Military Personnel Dependents

(a)    To facilitate the transfer of school-aged student dependents of military personnel to and from the public schools of this State, the State Board shall pursue reciprocity agreements with other states regarding the terms of those student transfers.
(b)    A reciprocity agreement shall include procedures for:
(1)    The timely transfer of student records;
(2)    Awarding credit for completed course work;
(3)    Allowing a student to satisfy the graduation requirements of § 7-205 of this title through successful completion of comparable courses in another state; and
(4)    Allowing a student to satisfy the requirements of the Maryland high school assessments through successful performance on comparable exit-level or high standard assessments administered in another state.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-115.1 - Dependent Children of Service Members -- Enrollment and Documentation Requirements

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Dependent child” means an individual of school age who is a natural child, a stepchild, an adopted child, or a financially dependent child of a service member.
(3)    “Enrollment” includes course registration and charter school lotteries.
(4)    (i)    “Service member” means an active duty member of the United States armed forces.
(ii)    “Service member” includes a member of the National Guard on active duty orders.
(b)    A county superintendent shall allow a dependent child of a service member who is relocating to the State on military orders and is not domiciled in that county during the enrollment period to apply for enrollment in a public school in the county, in the same manner and at the same time as individuals domiciled in the county.
(c)    (1)    Within 10 days of the published arrival date on the service member’s military orders, the service member shall provide the school with:
(i)    Satisfactory evidence of the dependent child’s status as a dependent child of the service member;
(ii)    A copy of the service member’s military orders to relocate; and
(iii)    Proof of residence in the county.
(2)    The service member may use the address of any of the following as proof of residence:
(i)    A temporary on–base lodging facility;
(ii)    A purchased or leased home or apartment; or
(iii)    Any federal government housing unit or off–base military housing unit.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-116 - Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

(a)    The purpose of this section is to:
(1)    Acknowledge 36 U.S.C. § 106, which designates September 17 of each year as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” to commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787; and
(2)    Celebrate “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” in the public schools and help instill in students knowledge of the history, importance, and enduring meaning of the United States Constitution and of the Maryland Constitution on the citizens of the State.
(b)    (1)    In accordance with Pub. L. 108–447 § 111(b), each county board may establish a program of education to be held on “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” each year to teach students about:
(i)    The United States Constitution; and
(ii)    The Maryland Constitution.
(2)    The program of education may include:
(i)    Special assemblies, discussions, presentations, and events commemorating the United States Constitution and the Maryland Constitution;
(ii)    The opportunity for eligible students to register to vote; and
(iii)    Efforts to reinforce existing curricula.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-119 - Reporting Class Size

(a)    (1)    In this section, “classroom teacher” means a teacher who is primarily responsible and accountable for the students in that class.
(2)    “Classroom teacher” does not include:
(i)    Curriculum specialists;
(ii)    Guidance counselors;
(iii)    Librarians;
(iv)    Media specialists;
(v)    Instructional aides;
(vi)    Attendance personnel;
(vii)    Health services personnel;
(viii)    Psychologists;
(ix)    Social workers;
(x)    Clerical personnel;
(xi)    Community college staff; or
(xii)    Any other individual whose job does not require skill in the field of education and who is not responsible for the day–to–day instruction of the same group of students.
(b)    (1)    By the beginning of the 2012–2013 academic year, the Department shall develop a uniform data collection method to track the number of students who regularly participate in a classroom teacher’s class.
(2)    The uniform data collection method developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall reflect the number of students who participate in a classroom teacher’s class as of September 30 of each year.
(c)    Beginning with the 2012–2013 academic year, each county board shall:
(1)    Implement the uniform data collection method developed under subsection (b) of this section; and
(2)    Report the results of the data collection to the Department on or before December 1 of each year.
(d)    On or before March 1 each year, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the data obtained under subsection (c)(2) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-120 - Classroom Placement of Multiple-Birth Children

(a)    In this section, “multiple–birth children” means twins, triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, or more.
(b)    This section applies only to children entering kindergarten through second grade.
(c)    (1)    The parent or guardian of multiple–birth children may request that the multiple–birth children or certain groups of the multiple–birth children be placed in the same classroom or separate classrooms if the children are in the same grade level at the same school.
(2)    The parent or guardian shall make the request in writing to the school principal within 14 days after:
(i)    The first day of school; or
(ii)    If the children were enrolled in the school after the school year has commenced, the first day of attendance of the children.
(d)    Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a school shall provide the classroom placement requested by the parent or guardian under subsection (c) of this section.
(e)    At the end of 30 days, if the principal of the school, in consultation with the teacher of each classroom in which the children are placed, determines that the requested classroom placement is disruptive to the school, the principal may determine the appropriate classroom placement for the children.
(f)    The school may:
(1)    Recommend to a parent or guardian the appropriate classroom placement for the multiple–birth children; or
(2)    Provide professional educational advice to assist a parent or guardian regarding classroom placement for the multiple–birth children.
(g)    A county board may not adopt a classroom placement policy of automatically separating or placing together multiple–birth children.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-123 - Robotics Grant Program

(a)    In this section, “eligible organization” means a nonprofit organization that:
(1)    Provides youth with an out–of–school time experience that focuses on personal and workforce development; and
(2)    Serves public school students as a majority of its participating youth.
(b)    (1)    There is a Robotics Grant Program in the State.
(2)    The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to public schools and eligible organizations in the State to support existing robotics programs and to increase the number of robotics programs in the State.
(c)    (1)    A school or an eligible organization is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the school or eligible organization is proposing a new robotics program or club or has an existing robotics program or club.
(2)    An eligible organization is eligible to receive a grant under this section only if the eligible organization is associated with a public school.
(d)    The Governor shall include in the State budget an annual appropriation of at least $350,000 to the Program.
(e)    (1)    The Department shall implement and administer the Program in accordance with this section.
(2)    To the extent practicable, the Department shall award grants to ensure geographic diversity among the grantees.
(f)    The Department may adopt regulations to implement the requirements of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-124 - Remote Classroom Technology Grant Program

(a)    (1)    There is a Remote Classroom Technology Grant Program in the State.
(2)    The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to public schools in the State to purchase technology to allow students with medical conditions to participate in classrooms remotely if in–person attendance is not possible.
(b)    The Governor may include in the State budget an annual appropriation to the Program.
(c)    The Department shall implement and administer the Program in accordance with this section.
(d)    The Department may adopt regulations to implement the requirements of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-125 - Unpaid Meal Debt -- Notification to Parent or Legal Guardian -- Direct Communication With Student Prohibited -- Alternative Meal

(a)    In this section, “unpaid meal debt” means debt owed to a school by a student for school meals or insufficient funds in the student’s meal account.
(b)    A public school shall notify a parent or legal guardian of a student when there is a low balance in the student’s meal account and before the student accrues unpaid meal debt.
(c)    A public school may not:
(1)    Communicate about unpaid meal debt directly with a student or in a manner that humiliates, embarrasses, or stigmatizes the student; or
(2)    In response to a student’s unpaid meal debt:
(i)    Require the student to wear a wristband, hand stamp, sticker, or other identifying mark;
(ii)    Require the student to complete chores or tasks;
(iii)    Deny a meal to the student;
(iv)    Dispose of a meal after it has been served to the student; or
(v)    Restrict a student from access to school records or participation in any school–related extracurricular activity.
(d)    A public school may provide an alternative meal instead of a standard meal if the meal:
(1)    Meets the nutritional standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and
(2)    Is available to all students in the school, regardless of unpaid meal debt.
(e)    (1)    A public school shall ensure that a parent or legal guardian of each student is notified about the application process and eligibility requirements for the school’s free or reduced price meal programs by providing:
(i)    Assistance in understanding the application process and eligibility requirements; and
(ii)    Printed applications in multiple languages.
(2)    A public school shall allow a student to apply for the school’s free or reduced price meal programs at any time during the year.
(3)    If a student who qualifies for a free or reduced price meal program transfers to another school within the same jurisdiction, the new school shall enroll the student in the corresponding free or reduced price meal program.
(f)    Each county board shall:
(1)    Determine whether each public school in its jurisdiction is in compliance with the policies and standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding communications about meal charge policies; and
(2)    Report to the Department its findings each year.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-127 - Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students -- Local Career Counseling Agreements

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “CTE Committee” means the Career and Technical Education Committee established under § 21–207 of this article.
(3)    “Local career counseling agreement” means a memorandum of understanding between a county board, a local workforce development board, a community college, and, if appropriate, an American Job Center to provide career counseling services.
(4)    “Program” means the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students.
(b)    (1)    There is a Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students.
(2)    The purpose of the Program is to provide each middle school and high school student in the county with individualized career counseling services.
(c)    (1)    Each county board shall enter into a local career counseling agreement with the local workforce development board, the community college that serves the county, and, if appropriate, an American Job Center.
(2)    Counseling provided under the local career counseling agreement shall help each student choose one or more post–college and career readiness pathways under § 7–205.1 of this title.
(d)    Funding received by the county board for career counseling under Subtitle 2 of this title shall be spent in accordance with the agreement.
(e)    The CTE Committee shall conduct an evaluation of each local career counseling agreement for best practices and disseminate its findings to all county boards, local workforce development boards, community colleges, and if appropriate, American Job Centers in the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-128 - Middle and High School Students Encouraged to Enroll in Next Most Rigorous Subject Matter Course

(a)    In this section, “next most rigorous subject matter course” includes an honor course, an Advanced Placement course offered by the College Board, an International Baccalaureate course, and a gifted and talented course.
(b)    Each middle and high school shall, after a student has demonstrated readiness in a subject matter, encourage enrollment in the next most rigorous subject matter course available in the school, and, to the extent practicable, enroll the student in the next most rigorous subject matter course.
(c)    Each middle and high school shall seek to enroll each student in the next most rigorous subject matter course in accordance with subsection (b) of this section without regard to the student’s race, ethnicity, gender, address, disability status, socioeconomic status, or the language spoken in the student’s home.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Education › Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education › Title 7 - Public Schools › Subtitle 1 - General Provisions › Section 7-129 - Purple Star Schools Program -- Purpose -- Administration -- Minimum Criteria -- Partner With County Board -- Regulations

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Military–connected student” means a student who is a dependent of:
(i)    A current member of:
1.    The United States military serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard on active duty;
2.    The Maryland National Guard; or
3.    A reserve force of the United States military; or
(ii)    A member of a military or reserve force described in item (i) of this paragraph who was killed in the line of duty.
(3)    “Program” means the Purple Star Schools Program.
(b)    (1)    There is a Purple Star Schools Program.
(2)    The purpose of the Program is to recognize public schools that provide strong services and support for military–connected students and their families when, as a result of military service, a military–connected student transfers schools.
(c)    (1)    The Department shall administer the Program.
(2)    Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Department shall designate a public school as a Purple Star School if the school applies and meets the criteria adopted by the Department for a Purple Star School.
(d)    At a minimum, the Department’s criteria for a Purple Star School shall require a public school to:
(1)    Designate a staff member as a military liaison, whose duties shall include:
(i)    Identifying military–connected students who are newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled at the school;
(ii)    Serving as the point of contact between the school and newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military–connected students and their families;
(iii)    Determining appropriate school services available to newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military–connected students;
(iv)    Assisting in coordinating school programs for newly enrolled or soon to be enrolled military–connected students; and
(v)    Generally aiding with a military–connected student’s transition to a new school;
(2)    Establish on the school’s website an easily accessible webpage that includes resources for military–connected students and their families, including information regarding:
(i)    Relocation to, enrollment at, registration at, and transferring records to the school;
(ii)    Academic planning, course sequences, and advanced classes available at the school; and
(iii)    Counseling and other support services available for military–connected students transitioning into the school;
(3)    Maintain a transition program led by students, if appropriate, that assists military–connected students enrolled at the school; and
(4)    Offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military–connected students transferring to new schools.
(e)    A public school may partner with the county board to fulfill the Department’s criteria to qualify as a Purple Star School.
(f)    The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.