California’s tenure laws for public school teachers violate that state’s constitution.

So ruled a trial judge this past June.

There could be a similar lawsuit or legislation in Maryland.

I’m seeking a middle ground.

Providing incentives to our best teachers to instruct students with the greatest needs will benefit these children. Rewarding teachers for their exceptional efforts in improving outcomes for these students will help keep them in the classroom.

We already do that in Maryland.

A teacher with the highest performance evaluation for classroom work can be assisted in the repayment of academic debt with a Nancy Grasmick Teacher Award. An individual must have taught in Maryland for at least 2 years in science, technology, engineering, or math subjects or in a school where at least 75% of the students are enrolled in the free and reduced price lunch program (FRPM).

Senator Bill Ferguson and I introduced the legislation creating the Grasmick Award.

College students who commit to teaching in a school where at least 50% of the students are eligible for FRPM can receive a Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship, we have also learned.

We are reviewing these programs, as well as similar incentives in other states, to learn how to incentivize our best teachers to work with our students with the greatest need.