In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Eligible individual” means an individual who is: Enrolled in the first or second year at an institution of initial eligibility; and Interested in pursuing a career in the teaching profession. “Fund” means the Teacher Development and Retention Fund established under this subtitle. “Institution of initial eligibility” means: An institution of higher education in the State where at least 40% of the attendees receive federal Pell Grants; or A community college established under Title 16 of this article. “Program” means the Teacher Development and Retention Program established under this subtitle.

There is a Teacher Development and Retention Program. The Teacher Development and Retention Program is a pilot program designed to incentivize a cohort of students to pursue a career in the teaching profession. The purpose of the Program is to provide support to eligible individuals who ultimately pledge to fulfill a service obligation as a teacher employed full–time in a high–needs school, grade level, or content area in the State in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department. The Program shall provide financial support to eligible individuals interested in pursuing a career in the teaching profession, beginning by offering eligible individuals a one–time stipend for participation in an experiential learning opportunity in a classroom and concluding by placing those individuals in high–needs schools, grade levels, or content areas. The Office shall establish eligibility criteria for the Program, including requirements for an applicant to: Be enrolled in the first or second year at an institution of initial eligibility in an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program; and Before receiving an educator internship stipend under § 18–2703 of this subtitle, pledge to fulfill a service obligation as a teacher employed full–time in a high–needs school, grade level, or content area in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department, for a minimum of 2 years. The Office shall administer the Program and establish a process for eligible individuals to apply to the Program. The Office shall develop a process for awarding stipends to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for the Program. The Office shall give preference to applicants who have been employed in a public school or a publicly funded prekindergarten program within the last 5 years.

In each school year from the 2024–2025 school year through the 2026–2027 school year, a recipient who is selected for support under the Program shall receive an initial stipend to support the recipient’s participation in an experiential learning opportunity in a public school or publicly funded prekindergarten classroom. The experiential learning opportunity shall: Occur within the first or second year of the recipient’s enrollment in an institution of initial eligibility; and Contribute to the education of the students in the classroom in which the recipient participates. The purpose of the initial stipend awarded under this subsection is to nurture in the recipient a passion for becoming a teacher. If the institution of initial eligibility has a written agreement with a public partner school or publicly funded prekindergarten program for the establishment of a training practicum under § 6–120 of this article, then the recipient’s experiential learning opportunity shall be in a classroom within the partner school. The Office shall determine the amount of the initial stipends awarded under this subsection. In each school year from the 2027–2028 school year through the 2029–2030 school year, a Program recipient shall be eligible for an internship stipend if the Program recipient: Is currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program at an institution of higher education in the State that, through its course of study leads to a Maryland professional teacher’s certificate; Is currently engaged in an internship or a practicum providing direct experience working with students in a public school or publicly funded prekindergarten program as part of the recipient’s course of study; Continues to make satisfactory progress toward a degree and maintain the standards of the institution; and Pledges to fulfill a service obligation for 2 years as a teacher employed full–time in a high–needs school, grade level, or content area in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department under paragraph (4) of this subsection. A Program recipient who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive an internship stipend of up to $20,000 for a 10–month educator internship. If the recipient of an internship stipend does not fulfill the service obligation, the recipient shall repay the Commission the funds received under this subsection as set forth in § 18–112 of this title. In order to ensure that Program recipients fulfill the service obligation, the Department shall submit to the Office a list of: High–needs schools in which there are a significant proportion of: Teacher vacancies; and Teachers teaching in a grade level or content area other than the grade level or content area in which they are certificated; and Grade levels and content areas in which there are a significant proportion of: Teacher vacancies; and Teachers teaching in a grade level or content area other than the grade level or content area in which they are certificated.

Funding for the Program shall be as provided in the State budget.

On or before July 1, 2029, the Commission shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Program in attracting new teachers to the profession. On or before January 1, 2030, the Commission shall report the results of the evaluation to the Governor, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.

There is a Teacher Development and Retention Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to provide support to eligible individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the teaching profession and who ultimately pledge to fulfill a service obligation as a teacher employed full–time in a high–needs school, grade level, or content area in which there is a shortage of teachers. The Commission shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; Interest earnings of the Fund; and Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. The Fund shall be used to administer the Program and provide support to recipients under the Program. The Fund may be used for administrative expenses for the Program. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.