out by the Department since 1920. The Division
received its present name in 1994.
For public schools, the Division formulates
guidelines for curriculum to be approved by the
State Superintendent of Schools. Guidelines also set
standards for educational programs of State agen-
cies. For the Maryland School Performance Assessment
Program, the Division monitors education programs.
The Division approves plans to reform schools
that receive help from the Challenge System Initia-
tive or through Carnegie Foundation grants. With
the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,
the Division sets standards and guidelines for
school health programs. The Division also trains
staff, audits programs, and sponsors conferences on
curriculum and learning.
Under the Division are five branches: Arts and Sci-
ences, Equity Assurance and Compliance, Language
Development and Early Learning, School Library Media
and State Media Services, and Staff Development. In
addition, the Division oversees three units.

CHALLENGE & RECONSTITUTED SCHOOL UNIT
Rhona S. Fisher, Ph.D., Director
(410) 767-0321

Organized in 1994, the Challenge and Recon-
stituted School Unit oversees the Challenge System
Initiative. Through financial and technical support, the
Initiative helps schools improve their ratings in the Mary-
land School Performance Assessment Program (Code Edu-
cation Article, sec. 5-202-2)
Under the School Reconstitution Program, the
Unit monitors local plans to improve schools which
have poor and declining scores in the Assessment
Program. Plans outline reforms in school admini-
stration, curriculum, and staff. If local efforts fail
and the State Board of Education approves, the
Unit oversees State intervention to improve these
schools (COMAR 13A.01.04.07).

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING
& CROSS-DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS &
PROJECTS UNIT
Eileen M. Oickle, Ph.D., Director
(410) 767-0345

The Middle and High School Learning and
Cross-Department Programs and Projects Unit was
established in 1995. It coordinates programs in-
volving other Department divisions. These include
the Core Learning Program, High School Gradu-
ation Requirements, Middle and High School Learn-
ing, and Year-Round Schools.

STUDENT SERVICE ALLIANCE

Contact: Margaret A. O'Neil (410) 767-0356

Through the Student Service Alliance, the Unit
helps local schools provide opportunities for stu-
dents to serve their community. Such service is

mandated for high school graduation, beginning
with students graduating in 1997. The Alliance,
formed in 1988, also approves local plans for new
community service programs in high schools.

SPECIAL PROJECTS UNIT
Antoinette E. Farazza, Ed.D., Director
(410) 767-0317

Created in 1994, the Special Projects Unit is
responsible for three programs. It oversees the
Carnegie Middle-Grades-School State Policy Initiative
awarding grants to improve middle schools (grades 6, 7,
and 8). The Unit also administers a pilot project under
the Challenge System Initiative to improve schools in
Caroline County. In addition, the Unit supports the
Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletics Associa-
tion, which conducts athletic programs for high schools.

ARTS & SCIENCES BRANCH
Kay A. Birukoff, Chief
(410) 767-0350

The Arts and Sciences Branch started as the
General Curriculum Branch and received its pre-
sent name in 1989. The Branch assists local school
systems in developing curriculum for environ-
mental education, the fine arts, health and safety,
mathematics, physical education, science, and social
studies. It designs, disseminates, and conducts pro-
grams for staff development in these areas as well.
The Branch also oversees the Gifted and Talented
Program.

EQUITY ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE
BRANCH
Woodrow B. Grant, Chief
(410) 767-0425

The Equity Assurance and Compliance Branch
organized in 1976 as the Office of Equal Opportu-
nity. In 1993, it was placed within the Division of
Instruction, later the Division of Instruction and
Staff Development. The Branch gives technical aid
to local school systems for school desegregation.
Branch staff provide training on issues of disability,
gender, national origin, and race as they relate to
instruction, classroom management, accessibility to
facilities and programs, group and personal rela-
tions, and employment. The Branch also imple-
ments State regulations on multicultural education,
assignment of personnel, and pupil integration.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
& EARLY LEARNING BRANCH
Trudy V. Collier, Chief
(410) 767-0339

The Language Development and Early Learning
Branch was created in 1989. To promote learning and
language development in young children (ages 4