NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS APPROVAL BRANCH
Virginia L. Cieslicki, Chief
(410) 767-0408

The Nonpublic Schools Approval Branch
started in 1948 as the Nonpublic Schools Accredi-
tation Branch. In 1994, it became the Nonpublic
Schools Approval Branch.
The Branch approves the educational pro-
grams of nonpublic nursery schools, kindergar-
tens, elementary schools, middle schools,
secondary schools, schools for the disabled, and
entities licensed by other State agencies, such as
the Department of Juvenile Justice. These pro-
grams must conform to Maryland law and to
State Board of Education regulations. The
Branch also registers nonpublic schools, church
schools, and church education boards to super-
vise schooling at home by parents who, due to
philosophical differences, do not want to be
overseen by local boards of education. Annually,
the Branch publishes the Directory of Approved
Nonpublic Schools in the State of Maryland.

PROGRAM APPROVAL & ASSESSMENT
BRANCH
Virginia H. Pilato, Chief
(410) 767-0391

The Program Approval and Assessment Branch
began in 1981 as a part of the Teacher Education
and Certification Branch and reorganized under its
present name in 1994. The Program Approval and
Assessment Branch evaluates and approves pro-
grams to educate teachers and prepare other pro-
fessionally certified personnel. The Branch also
assesses candidates for school principalships.

STATE TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL

Brenda Haynes, Chair
(410) 767-0390

The State Teacher Education Council was
formed by the State Superintendent of Schools in
1984. Then, it was known as the State Coordinat-
ing Council on Field Experiences. Under its present
name, it reorganized in April 1992. The Council
advises the State Superintendent on current issues
and promising practices in teacher education.

DIVISION OF PLANNING, RESULTS,
& INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Mark Moody, Ph.D., Assistant State
Superintendent for Planning, Results,
& Information Management

200 West Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 767-0073

Duties of the Division of Planning, Results, and
Information Management started in 1921 when
the Bureau of Educational Measurements was
formed within the State Department of Education.
By 1945, the Division of Finance, Statistics, and
Educational Measurements replaced the Bureau.
The Division was renamed Division of Finance and
Research in 1949, Division of Research and Devel-
opment by 1963, and Division of Research, Evalu-
ation and Information Systems by 1971. The
Division of Administration assumed information
system functions by 1979, as did the Division of
Administration and Finance by 1983. The Office
of Management Information Systems emerged in
1987 and was replaced by the Division of Planning,
Results, and Information Management in 1992.
The Division administers the Maryland School
Performance Assessment Program. The Division also
provides information processing, evaluation and sta-
tistical services, and research for the Department.
Under the Division are four branches: Assessment,
Information Processing, Planning, and Results.

ASSESSMENT BRANCH
Stephen Ferrara, Chief
(410) 767-0081

Formerly within the Division of Instruction, the
Assessment Branch joined the Division of Planning,
Results, and Information Management in 1994.
The Branch conducts the Maryland School Perform-
ance Assessment Program. Established in 1989 by
the State Board of Education, the Program evalu-
ates local education, using measures such as student
test scores, attendance, and promotion and drop-
out rates. The Program also sets standards for
schools and goals for their improvement.
Other student achievement tests are overseen by
the Branch. The Functional Testing Program tests
students in reading, writing, mathematics, and citi-
zenship. To graduate from high school, students
must pass these tests which emphasize basic skills,
such as reading and comprehending instructions
and timetables, balancing a checkbook, and com-
puting interest. The Norm-Referenced Testing Pro-
gram evaluates children in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11.
Their scores are compared with the performance of
students in the same grade nationwide.

INFORMATION PROCESSING BRANCH
Lois M. Brown, Chief
(410) 767-0052

Created in 1971, the Information Processing
Branch oversees the Department's information
processing operations and expenditures.