Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 10 - Career Ladder for Educators
Section 6-1006 - Administrator Track -- Licensed Principals -- Distinguished Principals -- Requirements -- Additional Optional Tier for District Office Directors

(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, 2029, 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 § 6–1002(f)(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 § 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 § 6–1002(f)(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 § 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.