Md. Code Regs. 14.39.07.09

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 24, December 2, 2024

Section 14.39.07.09 - Specialty Classrooms

A. Special Education.

(1) To the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities shall be educated in the least restrictive environment with students who are not disabled. A continuum of alternative placements shall be provided.

(2) If a special-education space for pull-out purposes other than calming is provided and the space is required to support educational programs, services, and curricula, the space may not be smaller than 450 net square feet.

(3) When the need is demonstrated by a local education agency, additional space in the classroom shall be provided with, or students shall have an accessible route to an accessible unisex restroom with one toilet, sink, washer/dryer, and shower stall/tub, as needed, and at least 15 net square feet of storage.

(4) When the need is demonstrated by a local education agency, in 6th grade classrooms and above, a kitchenette of least 30 net square feet shall be provided.

B. Science Classrooms.

(1) For grades PreK through 5, no additional space is required beyond the classroom requirement.

(2) For grades 6 through 12, 4 net square feet per student of the specialty program capacity for science is required. The space may not be smaller than the average classroom at the facility. This space is included in the academic classroom requirement and may be used for other instruction. The space shall have science fixtures and equipment, in accordance with the standard equipment necessary to meet the educational requirements of the Maryland Science Content Standards.

(3) For grades 9 through 12 only, at least 40 net square feet of space is provided for securable, well-ventilated storage or prep space for each science room having science fixtures and equipment. Storage/prep rooms may be combined and shared between more than one classroom.

C. Fine-Arts Education.

(1) A school facility shall have classroom space to deliver fine-arts education programs which include the following:

(a) Art;

(b) Music;

(c) Dance; and

(d) Theater.

(2) Elementary school fine-arts education programs:

(a) May be accommodated within a general-use or dedicated arts classroom;

(b) Shall provide one dedicated classroom for each fine-arts subject area staffed with greater than 0.5 full-time fine-arts teacher; and

(c) Shall provide additional dedicated fine-arts program storage of at least 60 net square feet for each subject area per facility.

(3) A middle school shall provide classroom space for fine-arts education programs that:

(a) Contains no less than 4 net square feet per student of the specialty program capacity for fine-arts subjects;

(b) Provides one dedicated classroom for each fine-arts subject area staffed with greater than 0.5 full-time fine-arts teacher; and

(c) Provides additional 60 net square feet of storage for each fine-arts program subject.

(4) A high school shall provide classroom spaces for fine-arts education programs that contain no less than 5 net square feet of the specialty program capacity for fine-arts subjects.

(5) A combination school shall provide the elements of the grades served by §C(1)-(4) of this regulation without duplication but meeting the highest square footage standards.

(6) Other schools shall provide the elements included in §C(1)-(4) of this regulation that are necessary to meet the educational requirements of the specific programs and capacity of the schools.

D. Technology Education and Computer Science.

(1) For grades K through 5, no additional space is required beyond the classroom requirement.

(2) For grades 6 through 8, 3 net square feet, and 4 net square feet for grades 9 through 12, of the specialty program capacity for technology education and family and consumer science is required. The space shall be no smaller than the average classroom at the facility. This space is included in the academic classroom requirement and may be used for other instruction.

(3) The space shall have technology fixtures and equipment, in accordance with the standard equipment necessary to meet the educational requirements of the Maryland Technology Education Content Standards, and, in high school, the requirements of Maryland Advanced Technology Education electives where such electives are offered.

(4) Provide at least 80 net square feet for securable, well-ventilated storage/prep space for each technology education room having technology fixtures and equipment. Storage/prep rooms may be combined and shared between more than one classroom.

E. Career and Technology Education.

(1) Elementary schools have no requirement.

(2) Middle schools shall include space for career-development and careerexploration activities. Each program lab or classroom space shall be no smaller than 650 net square feet.

(3) High School Career and Technology Education.

(a) Program space shall be provided with no less than 4 net square feet of the specialty program capacity of the school for career education.

(b) Each program lab or classroom space shall be no smaller than 650 net square feet.

(c) Spaces for programs requiring licensing, certification, or accreditation by a State board or agency shall meet all applicable health and safety standards. Cosmetology and barber programs shall comply with the sanitation requirements of the State Board of Cosmetologists and the State Board of Barbers, respectively.

(4) A combination school shall provide the elements of the grades served by §E(1)-(3) of this regulation without duplication, but meeting the higher standards.

(5) Other schools shall provide the elements above necessary to meet the educational requirements of the specific programs and capacity of the schools.

Md. Code Regs. 14.39.07.09

Regulation .09 adopted effective 49:25 Md. R.1041-1070, eff. 12/12/2022