# Education (GED)

## Title 9.7. Adult High School Pilot Program

### Subtitle 1

#### Section 9.7-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Operator" means a private nonprofit entity that establishes a pilot under the Program.

(c) "Pilot" means an adult high school established by an operator under the Program.

(d) "Program" means the Adult High School Pilot Program.

(e)

  (1) "Wraparound services" means individualized services, excluding regular school programs and services, that are provided to the student and the student's family.

  (2) "Wraparound services" includes:

    (i) Child care;

    (ii) Transportation;

    (iii) Housing referrals;

    (iv) Mental health;

    (v) Crisis intervention;

    (vi) Substance abuse prevention or treatment; and

    (vii) Legal aid.

#### Section 9.7-102

(a) There is an Adult High School Pilot Program.

(b) The general purpose of the Program is to establish an alternative method for adults who did not graduate from high school to earn a high school diploma and potentially to earn postsecondary education credits and industry-recognized certification in an environment that meets the needs of the adult learner.

(c) The Program is under the authority and supervision of the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor.

#### Section 9.7-103

(a) The Department, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Labor, may approve up to six pilots.

(b) A pilot established under the Program shall:

  (1) Operate from a fixed physical location;

  (2) Enroll students who:

    (i) Are 21 years old or older;

    (ii) Do not have a high school diploma; and

    (iii) Did not complete the requirements for high school graduation through GED testing or a National External Diploma program;

  (3) Enroll a maximum of 350 students;

  (4) Offer wraparound services necessary for the adult learner; and

  (5) Grant a Maryland high school diploma on completion of the required course of study.

(c) When considering whether to approve a pilot under this section, the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall:

  (1) Give priority to a pilot located in a county or geographic area located within a county that has a high school attainment rate that is lower than the State average high school attainment rate;

  (2) Consider geographic diversity in locations for the pilots; and

  (3) Approve one pilot in a rural area for each two pilots approved in urban areas.

(d) A pilot established under the Program is not a public school for public financing purposes under Title 5 of this article.

#### Section 9.7-104

(a)

  (1) To establish a pilot under the Program, an applicant shall submit to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor a plan that describes in detail the pilot operator, the pilot program description, the proposed curriculum, assessment procedures, performance standards, wraparound services, the budget, and the proposed bylaws adopted by the pilot's Advisory Board.

  (2) The plan under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:

    (i) The proposed curriculum and performance standards that align with the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards;

    (ii) Initial student intake assessment procedures;

    (iii) Plans for the provision of remedial instruction to prepare students for secondary-level academic instruction, if necessary;

    (iv) Plans for working with students with disabilities;

    (v) A description of assessment instruments for measuring student progress and college and career readiness;

    (vi) A description of any programs or partnerships with organizations or businesses for providing job skills, industry certifications, or higher education credits;

    (vii) The wraparound services offered;

    (viii) A description of the advisory and coaching services that provide support for students to:

      (1) Establish career pathways in high need and growth industry sectors; and

      (2) Make effective transitions into postsecondary education and industry credentialing opportunities;

    (ix) The pilot's governance plan;

    (x) A detailed budget for the initial 3-year operating period that demonstrates the pilot's financial self-sufficiency; and

    (xi) Plans for working with English language learners.

(b) Within 60 days of the date of receipt of a plan submitted under subsection (a) of this section:

  (1) The Department, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Labor, shall approve or disapprove the pilot's curriculum; and

  (2) If the Department approves the pilot's curriculum under item (1) of this subsection, the Department, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Labor, shall approve or disapprove the applicant's plan and pilot.

(c)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, within 30 days of the date of approval of the plan and pilot under subsection (b)(2) of this section and in accordance with the authority of the State Board under Sec. 2-205 of this article to grant waivers from regulations adopted by the State Board, the State Board shall grant the pilot a waiver from any regulation that conflicts with the purpose and goals of the pilot's plan approved by the Department, including the student service requirement in COMAR 13A.03.02.05.

  (2) A waiver required under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not be granted related to assessment requirements in COMAR 13A.03.02.06.

(d) A pilot shall:

  (1) Be subject to the requirements of Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and

  (2) Provide accommodations equal to those a student would qualify for under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act if a student has a disability with an educational impact.

#### Section 9.7-105

(a)

  (1) The Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall establish qualifications for operators of pilots under the Program.

  (2) The qualifications shall, at a minimum, require an operator to:

    (i) Be registered as a nonprofit organization in the State;

    (ii) Have previous experience and measured success in providing education services to adult learners, including industry certification and job placement services;

    (iii) Have previous experience providing education services or workforce development services to adult learners who have been limited by educational disadvantages, a disability, a criminal record, or similar barriers to employment opportunities;

    (iv) Have secured financing to develop or the capability to secure financing for the development of a physical site for the pilot; and

    (v) Hire appropriately trained instructional personnel.

  (3) An operator may be a partnership of two or more persons that meet the qualifications required under this subsection.

(b)

  (1) The operator shall adopt written standards for the admission and dismissal of students.

  (2) The standards and any amendments shall be submitted to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor for approval.

(c) The operator may partner with:

  (1) A county board of education; or

  (2) A public institution of higher education in the State if the operator intends to provide course work for college credit.

#### Section 9.7-106

(a) An Advisory Board shall govern a pilot.

(b)

  (1) An Advisory Board shall consist of at least 11 members and not more than 25 members.

  (2) Of the Advisory Board members:

    (i) One shall be appointed by the Department;

    (ii) One shall be appointed by the Maryland Department of Labor; and

    (iii) The remaining members shall be selected in accordance with the bylaws of the pilot.

(c) A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the vacating member was appointed or selected.

(d) The Advisory Board shall determine its officers.

#### Section 9.7-107

(a) The Program may provide grants to pilots approved under and operating in accordance with this title.

(b)

  (1) For fiscal year 2022, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill a federal fund or a general fund appropriation of $250,000 to the Program.

  (2) For fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill a federal fund or a general fund appropriation of $250,000 for each pilot approved and operating in accordance with this title.

(c) The operator or Advisory Board of a pilot may apply for and accept donations, grants, or other financial assistance from a governmental entity or any nonprofit or other private organization.

#### Section 9.7-108

(a) An operator shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot each year.

(b) The operator, after receiving approval of the Advisory Board, shall submit to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor an evaluation report for the prior fiscal year that includes:

  (1) The academic and career progress of each student enrolled in the pilot; and

  (2) The pilot's fiscal year financial report.

#### Section 9.7-109

(a) Beginning October 1, 2018, and on or before October 1 each year thereafter, the operator of a pilot shall submit to the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor the following information for the prior fiscal year:

  (1) Whether students enrolled in the pilot are on track for completion in a time determined to be reasonable by the Advisory Board of the pilot;

  (2) The academic levels of the students at the time of enrollment in the pilot;

  (3) The number of:

    (i) Credits students completed; and

    (ii) Students who completed and graduated from the pilot;

  (4) The academic progress of the students as measured by the student intake assessment instrument and the assessment instrument used;

  (5) The graduation rate;

  (6) The number of postsecondary education credits earned and the types of credits sought;

  (7) The number of industry credentials earned and the types of industry credentials; and

  (8) Any reported postgraduation employment.

(b) On or before December 1, 2020, the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall jointly submit to the Governor and, in accordance with Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly a report that includes:

  (1) An evaluation of each pilot approved under this subtitle;

  (2) A recommendation as to expansion, continuation, modifications to, or termination of the Program;

  (3) Demographic information on student enrollment under the Program; and

  (4) The fiscal solvency of the Program.

#### Section 9.7-110

(a) If the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor agree that the Program is not effective, the Department and Maryland Department of Labor shall send written notice to the pilots that the Program has been discontinued.

(b) The Department and the Maryland Department of Labor shall jointly adopt regulations to implement the Program.

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