Cook’s Corner – Spring 2026
This legislative session, the State Board of Education gathered feedback from educators to improve Maine’s educator certification standards, known as Rule Chapter 115. MEA advocated for changes that both support a high quality educator workforce and remove the unnecessary barriers that prevent members from expanding their certifications. We listened to your experiences and believe some of the changes will make it easier for you to grow in your profession.
One of the most significant updates is the creation of a Portfolio Pathway, which will support teachers looking to expand their certification areas as well as individuals transitioning into education from other careers.
Consider a few examples:
- A kindergarten teacher who wants to become certified to teach pre-K
- A teacher with a K–6 certificate who wants to teach 7th grade
- A career mechanic who hopes to teach in a CTE center but needs certification
The Portfolio Pathway
If a school district chooses to participate in the Portfolio Pathway, the district will submit a plan to the State Board of Education describing how it will support educators seeking to expand their certificates or career changers seeking initial certification.
Once a district’s plan is approved, participating educators will work with a Local Review Team to identify their strengths and areas of growth based on the InTASC Teaching Standards. Their individualized plan may include coursework, coaching, peer observations, book studies, or other learning experiences that meet their needs. This removes the barrier of strictly taking courses to meet certification requirements. It also allows administrators and educators to work together to understand an educator’s strengths and areas where they need to grow.
After the plan is developed, the educator will receive a conditional (3 year) certificate. When they complete the plan and the Local Credentialing Committee verifies their progress, the Department’s Certification Office will issue a professional certificate.
MEA strongly supported this proposal, especially because it includes important accountability measures:
- District plans must be approved by the State Board
- The rule requires a formal review of the Portfolio Pathway in ten years to ensure it remains effective
- This is a voluntary process, and educators will not be pressured to expand their certification if they choose not to.
Education Technician II Minimum Credit Hours
Under the current rule, Ed Tech II certification requires 60 credit hours. Under the new rule, that requirement will be reduced to 45 semester hours. For some of you, this may change your designation as an Ed Tech I to an Ed Tech II. Review transcripts to be sure.
Lapsed Period
Under the current rule, the grace period for a lapsed certificate is six months. Under the new rule, the grace period will be extended to twelve months. Additionally, if a certificate expired within the last five years, the individual will be held to the certification requirements that were in place when their certificate was originally issued.
Conditional Certificate Requirements
Language has been added for more intense supervision and mentoring. Hours for many conditional certificates have been reduced from 24 to 18 semester hours for secondary teachers and from 24 to 15 for ESOL teachers.
Teacher of Children with Disabilities (282)
Language was added to create a transitional pathway for those with a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (inclusive of kindergarten) endorsement, to earn a 282 that is inclusive of preschool and elementary grades, without additional coursework.
If you have any questions about these changes or others that were made to Rule Chapter 115, reach out to us. MEA will also work to host a training for credentialing committees and interested members at the start of the 26-27 school year.
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When will changes take place? Changes will take effect in mid-July 2026.
