The University of Maryland College of Education has received a grant of $96,531 from the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Teacher Quality and Diversity Grant Program to lead the development of a new statewide initiative aimed at addressing Maryland’s critical shortage of licensed educators.
Titled the University System of Maryland (USM) Alternative Teacher Preparation Program, the initiative will offer a flexible, affordable and accessible pathway to licensure, particularly for individuals already serving in classrooms under conditional licensure. The alternative certification route will feature high-quality, asynchronous online coursework paired with intensive instructional coaching, with the goal of increasing both the number and preparedness of licensed educators across the state.
The program is anticipated to launch in Fall 2026, with the application process expected to open in Spring 2026. Approximately 70 participants are projected to enroll in the pilot cohort, with final details still being determined.
“There are more than 6,000 conditionally licensed teachers in Maryland and ongoing vacancies in teaching roles. We are working to bridge the gap,” said Ebony Terrell Shockley Ph.D. ’12, associate dean for educator preparation and undergraduate studies, clinical professor and the program’s principal investigator. Monica Simonsen ’00, M.Ed. ’01, Ph.D. ’10, the college’s director of teacher education, serves as co-principal investigator.
The college will join USM’s efforts to identify and support subject matter experts and fund the course instructors through this grant. In addition, the college will lead a design summit with faculty and staff across colleges and universities in Maryland.
