PLANNING BRANCH
Contact: Mary Keath (410) 767-0046

The Planning Branch was organized in 1992.
The Branch administers Title VI of the federal
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which
supports school reform and improvement. The
Branch also helps plan scheduling, finance, pro-
curement, and departmental coordination for the
Maryland School Performance Assessment Program.

RESULTS BRANCH
Ricka K. Markowitz, Chief
(410) 767-0026

Formerly the Statistical Services Branch, the
Results Branch was placed under the Division of
Planning, Results, and Information Management
in 1992. The Branch collects and compiles data
from local school systems for local, State and federal
reports, including the Maryland School Perform-
ance Assessment Program Report. Annually, the
Branch reports (by school system) on curriculum,
staffing, students, facilities, and finance. The
Branch also compiles data on students taught at
home and through correspondence courses.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
SERVICES OFFICE

Richard J. Steinke, Deputy State Superintendent
for School Improvement Services
(410) 767-0229

The School Improvement Office started in
1988 when the Bureau of Educational Develop-
ment was formed. The Bureau was reorganized as
the School Improvement Services Office in 1992.
The Office oversees the School Performance Re-
search and Development Office, and four divisions:
Career Technology and Adult Learning, Compensa-
tory Education and Support Services, Instruction and
Staff Development, and Special Education.

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE: RESEARCH
& DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Vacancy, Assistant State Superintendent for School
Performance Research & Development

200 West Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 767-0368

The School Performance Research and Devel-
opment Office was created in 1989 as the Office of
Maryland School Performance. It was reorganized
in 1993 as the School Performance, Product, and
Service Development Office. In 1994, it received
its present name.

The Office investigates ways to improve pub-
lic education. It holds schools accountable to
State standards and tests students on what they
have learned. The Office is developing the high
school assessment component of the Maryland
School Performance Assessment Program to test stu-
dents on math, English, science, and social studies.
It also will measure their ability to learn inde-
pendently, think critically, communicate orally and
in writing, work cooperatively, and use computers.
These tests will begin in the year 2000.
Award programs which recognize innovation
and excellence, such as the Maryland Teacher of the
Year are administered by this office.

DIVISION OF CAREER
TECHNOLOGY & ADULT LEARNING

Katharine M. Oliver, Assistant State
Superintendent for Career Technology
& Adult Learning

200 West Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 767-0158

The Division of Career Technology and Adult
Learning began as the Division of Vocational Edu-
cation by 1950. Renamed the Division of Voca-
tional-Technical Education in 1968, and the
Division of Career and Technology Education in
1991, it received its present name in 1992.
The Division oversees career and technology
education, and adult learning. For State and federal
occupational programs, the Division develops and
recommends to the State Superintendent of
Schools policies, guidelines, and services. The Di-
vision also helps local school systems and educa-
tional agencies, institutions, businesses, industries,
and community organizations plan and evaluate
their education and training programs. In both
public and private institutions, Division programs
are offered to students of all ages.
Under the Division are the Correctional Education
Program, and four branches: Adult Education and
Literacy Services, Career Connection, General Educa-
tion Development, and Program Support Services.

STATE BOARD OF CAREER
& TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Christopher T. Cross, President, 1997

The State Board of Education serves as the State
Board of Career and Technology Education. In
1991, the Board was fashioned in accordance with
1990 amendments to the federal Carl D. Perkins
Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act
(P.L. 101-392). The Board supervises and admin-
isters State vocational education.