PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT &
ASSISTANCE BRANCH
Sheila Draper, Chief
333-2495

Formed in 1978, the Program Development and
Assistance Branch is responsible for the Com-
prehensive System of Personnel Development,
which provides inservice and technical assistance,
develops print and video materials, and advises local
school systems and State-operated programs on
promising educational practices The Branch imple-
ments the Least Restrictive Environment initiative,
the Seriously Emotionally Disturbed initiative, and
the Learning Disabilities initiative and works on the
deaf blind/low incidence project, the early
childhood project, and the transinoning project
The Branch also trains hearing officers and con
ducts the federal Quota Blind Registration Project

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT BRANCH
David Hayden, Chtef

333 2470
Information referral hotline 383 6523

The Information Management Branch was
designed in 1978 to help parents of handicapped
children and other concerned citizens The Branch's
statewide hotline provides information and referral
services The Branch gives technical aid to help local
school systems develop management information
systems for special education and use mini- and
micro-computers for these systems Managing a
statewide special education data base, the Branch
provides technical assistance for local school sys-
tems to devise and implement evaluation programs

FEDERAL PROJECTS BRANCH
Brian Rice, Chtef
333-2458

Created in 1978, the Federal Projects Branch
reviews local applications for federal aid, ad-
ministers all federal grants received by the Division
of Special Education, and inunitur!> and evaluates
expenditures and budgets for federal projects The
Branch helps other branches develop federal grant
proposals and provides statistical and financial
analysis It prepares and monitors budgets for
Headquarters Aid to Education, and State-aided
Educational Institutions and provides technical as-
sistance to local school systems in the development
of grants and local applications for federal funds

NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS BRANCH
Richard Gamble, Chief
333-2451

The Nonpubbc Schools Branch was formed in
1978 The Branch forms alternative plans in private

State Department ofEducanon/243

schools to serve handicapped children, monitors
and evaluates educational programs in out-of-state
private facilities for handicapped children, and as
sures that they are served in the least restrictive
environment The Branch administers funds for
handicapped children under the federal Elementary
and Secondary Education Act (Title I) and manages
the State's parent surrogate program In the place-
ment of handicapped children, the Branch monitors
local hearing procedures and develops and imple-
ments procedures for State hearings It investigates
and resolves complaints regarding handicapped
children and coordinates Division actions with the
State Coordinating Council for Residential Place
ment of Handicapped Children

DIVISION OF CAREER AND
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Katharine M Oliver, Assistant State Superintendent

200 W Baltimore St
Baltimore, MD 21201 333-2075

The Division of Career and Technology Educa-
tion originated as the Dnsion of Vocational Educa-
tion by 1950 Renamed in 1968 as the Division of
Vocational-Technical Education, the Division
received its present name in 1990
The Division provides and coordinates
Maryland's system of career and technology educa-
tion Policies, guidelines, programs, and services for
administering State and federal occupational
programs are developed and recommended to the
State Superintendent of Schools by the Division In
addition, the Division helps local school systems
and other educational agencies, institutions, busi
nesses, industries, and community-based organiza-
tions plan, develop, implement, and evaluate
educational and training programs Division
programs are offered in both pubhc and private
institutions and are available to students of all ages

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT &
OPERATIONS BRANCH
LynneM Gilh, Chief
333-2085

In 1981, the Program Development and Opera-
tions Branch was created The Branch assists local
school systems with programs of vocational-technical
education in agnculture, business and office educa-
tion, distribution and marketing, health occupations,
home economics, trade, industry, youth organizations,
postsecondary/adult programs, placement services,
consumer education, industrial arcs/technology
education, high technology, cooperative programs,
teen parenting, personnel development, research
programs, exemplary programs, career guidance, cur-
riculum development, equity and entrepreneurship