DIVISION OF INSTRUCTION

Nicholas Hobar, Assistant State Superintendent

200 W Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 333-2328

The Division of Instruction was formed in 1945,
although its earliest functions have been carried out
by the State Department of Education since 1920.
The Division formulates instructional guidelines for
elementary and secondary schools and recom-
mends these guidelines to the State Superintendent
of Schools. Guidelines cover curriculum and adult
continuing education in public schools and State
agency educational programs. The Division
evaluates education programs for compliance with
the accountability program; trains staff; audits
programs; and sponsors conferences on curriculum
for county school personnel. Wth die Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Division also
sets standards and guidelines for school health
programs. In addition, the Division oversees two
innovative educational programs: Competency-
Based Education, and the Baltimore Chesapeake
Outward Bound Program.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT & EARLY
LEARNING BRANCH
Jo Anne Carter, Chief
333-2338

The Language Development and Early Learn-
ing Branch was created in 1989. The Branch
designs, develops, and conducts programs for effec-
tive teaching to promote early learning and lan-
guage development in children ages four through
nine. Branch responsibilities include English/lan-
guage arts programs, foreign languages, bilingual
education, and prekindergarten programs.

ARTS & SCIENCES BRANCH
Maurice Howard, Chief
333-2307

Formed in 1989, the Arts and Sciences Branch
designs, develops, tests, disseminates, and conducts
programs for teaching the fine arts, health and
safety, mathematics, physical education, environ-
mental education, science, and social studies.

ADULT & COMMUNITY EDUCATION
BRANCH
Charles Talbert, Chief
333-2361

The Adult and Community Education Branch
was established in 1980. The Branch designs, field-
tests, and operates instructional programs for
adults. Classes in basic skills are offered for enrich-
ment or remediation in designated schools, both
during and after regular school hours.

State Department ofEducation/241

In addition, the Branch is responsible for educa-
tional services provided after school to students in
school community centers. These programs for en-
richment and recreation are administered at the
local level, often by local parks and recreation
departments.

PROGRAM ASSESSMENT EVALUATION &
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT BRANCH
Robert Gabrys, Chief
333-2369

Organized in 1980, the Program Assessment,
Evaluation and Instructional Support Branch
develops and evaluates tests to assess student and
school performance. Under the Maryland Com-
prehensive Assessment Program, the Branch is
responsible for the Maryland Functional Testing in
reading, mathematics, writing, and citizenship,
which secondary students must pass in order to
graduate. In May 1991, the Branch will initiate the
first phase of a new performance assessment test at
the 3rd, 5th, 8ch and eventually llrh grade levels,
designed to collect data for measuring school in-
structional improvement. Another assessment used
by the Branch is based on Comprehensive Tests of
Basic Skills, 4th edition (CTBS-4), given to stu-
dents in 3rd, 5th and 8th grades.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT & PROGRAM
ENRICHMENT BRANCH
Antoinette Favazza-Wiegand, Chief
333-2357

The School Improvement and Program Enrich-
ment Branch was created as the Learning Improve-
ment and Program Enrichment Branch in 1989.
The Branch received its present name in 1990.
The Branch works with local boards of educa-
tion to develop programs to improve school perfor-
mance. Current programs concern early learning
years, technology training, development of new
assessment measures, instructional strategies to im-
prove student learning, improvement plans for mid-
dle schools, and programs for high schools. The
Branch coordinates, develops, field tests, imple-
ments, and evaluates school improvement models.
The Branch operates twelve Maryland Summer
Centers for Gifted and Talented Students in grades
four through twelve, helps local boards of educa-
tion develop programs for gifted students, and
oversees a grant program for local gifted and
talented programs (Code Education Article, sees.
8-201 through 8-204). The Governor's Gifted and
Talented Science and Math School Improvement
Project is coordinated by the Branch.
Through the Maryland Public Secondary
Schools Athletic Association, the Branch oversees
athletic rules and regulations, officials, and State
tournaments.