# Education (GED)

## Title 6. Teachers and Other Personnel

### Subtitle 10. Career Ladder for Educators

#### Section 6-1006

(a)

  (1) There is an administrator track on level four of the career ladder.

  (2) The primary purpose of the administrator track is to develop teachers into principals.

  (3) A teacher on the administrator track is responsible for managing administrative functions in the school.

(b)

  (1) The first tier of the administrator track is a licensed principal.

  (2)

    (i) The State Board, in consultation with the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board, shall establish the criteria that a teacher shall meet to achieve the licensed principal tier.

    (ii) The criteria under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph:

      (1) Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph and beginning on July 1, 2034, shall include a requirement that a teacher be an NBC teacher before the teacher may be a licensed principal; and

      (2) May include a requirement that a teacher shall complete an induction or training program for new principals.

    (iii) The State Board, in consultation with the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board, shall establish a process through which an individual may receive a waiver to serve as a licensed principal if the individual:

      (1) Is not an NBC teacher; but

      (2) Meets other qualifying criteria, as determined by the State Board, in consultation with the Professional Standards and Education Board.

  (3) Beginning with teachers listed under Sec. 6-1002(h)(3) of this subtitle as specified by the State Board, a licensed principal is encouraged to teach in the classroom for at least 10% of the principal's working hours.

  (4)

    (i) When a licensed principal position becomes available in the county, a licensed principal shall be selected in accordance with this paragraph.

    (ii) Throughout the process of selecting a licensed principal under this paragraph, priority shall be given to teachers who have experience teaching in schools that:

      (1) Reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the State; or

      (2) Have received a grant under Sec. 5-223 of this article.

    (iii) Teacher leaders, other licensed principals, and distinguished principals in the county shall provide a list of qualified candidates to the local superintendent.

    (iv) The local superintendent shall appoint a candidate from the list provided under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.

(c)

  (1) The second tier of the administrator track is distinguished principal.

  (2) To be a distinguished principal, a teacher shall demonstrate the ability to:

    (i) Effectively identify, attract, lead, and retain highly professional teachers;

    (ii) Organize and manage a school in a way that incentivizes and supports teachers to do their best work;

    (iii) Set high standards for faculty and students and achieve the standards set by others;

    (iv) Work with stakeholders on the teacher's vision;

    (v) Identify and help cultivate a teacher's potential for growth;

    (vi) Help students, parents, and teachers embrace the goal for all students to achieve internationally competitive standards;

    (vii) Mentor and support other principals; and

    (viii) Help other principals achieve higher levels of performance.

  (3) Beginning with teachers listed under Sec. 6-1002(h)(3) of this subtitle as specified by the State Board, a distinguished principal is encouraged to teach in a classroom for at least 10% of the principal's working hours.

  (4)

    (i) When a distinguished principal position becomes available in the county, a distinguished principal shall be selected in accordance with this paragraph.

    (ii) Throughout the process of selecting a distinguished principal under this paragraph, priority shall be given to licensed principals who have experience teaching and serving as principals in schools that:

      (1) Reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the State; or

      (2) Have received a grant under Sec. 5-223 of this article.

    (iii) Teacher leaders and other distinguished principals in the county shall provide a list of qualified candidates to the local superintendent.

    (iv) The local superintendent shall appoint a candidate from the list provided under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.

(d) All licensed and distinguished principals shall:

  (1) Be trained in and demonstrate capability with racial awareness and cultural competence, including:

    (i) Teaching students and managing teaching faculty from different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and

    (ii) Implementing restorative practices;

  (2) Cultivate a school environment in which teachers:

    (i) Develop cultural competence;

    (ii) Enhance empathy and respect for students;

    (iii) Work to eliminate biases and stereotypes; and

    (iv) Provide instruction in a manner that assumes that all students regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics are capable of the highest levels of academic achievement; and

  (3) Be evaluated on their success in fostering the school environment in item (2) of this subsection.

(e) A county board may add a tier to the administrator track for district office directors.

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Md. Code Ann., Educ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)