Section 11-208 - National accreditation. - Maryland Statutes

§ 11-208. National accreditation.
 

(a)  "National accreditation" defined.- In this section, "national accreditation" means teacher education accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and endorsed by the Department. 

(b)  Requirements; waiver.-  

(1) After July 1, 2004, an institution of higher education in this State may not offer a program of undergraduate or graduate studies that would certify a recipient to teach unless the institution has received: 

(i) National accreditation; or 

(ii) A waiver under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 

(2) The State Superintendent may grant a waiver from the national accreditation requirements to: 

(i) Any liberal arts college with a full-time equivalent enrollment of not more than 2,000 students; and 

(ii) Any nationally recognized professional school of fine arts specializing in music or art. 

(c)  Filing of intent; protocol.-  

(1) By July 1, 2000, an institution of higher education in the State that offers a program of undergraduate or graduate studies that would certify a recipient to teach must: 

(i) File its intent to seek national accreditation; 

(ii) Certify to the Department that it has national accreditation; or 

(iii) Have received a waiver under subsection (b) (2) of this section. 

(2) The accreditation process for an institution of higher education subject to this section shall be conducted in accordance with the protocol established by a nationally recognized accrediting agency and the Department. 

(d)  Technical support; expenses.-  

(1) In conjunction with accrediting agencies, the Department shall develop and administer a program of technical support to assist institutions of higher education in the State that seek accreditation under this section. 

(2) In addition to the technical support provided to an institution of higher education under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Department shall pay: 

(i) Any fee that an accrediting agency charges an institution of higher education in connection with the accreditation process; 

(ii) Any training fee that an accrediting agency charges a State representative who serves with a review team of an accrediting agency in conjunction with an accreditation visit to an institution of higher education in the State; and 

(iii) One-half of the expenses incurred by an institution of higher education in connection with the accreditation visit of a review team of an accrediting agency. 

(e)  Regulations.- The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section. 

(f)  Funding.- The Governor shall provide sufficient funds in the Department's annual budget for the additional costs incurred by the Department under this section. 
 

[1998, ch. 708.]