through 9), the Branch designs, tests, and imple-
ments programs for effective teaching. The Lan-
guage Development Section devises programs for
English language arts, foreign languages, and bilin-
gual education. The Early Learning Section pro-
vides technical assistance and monitors programs
for primary education, school readiness assessment,
parent involvement, child care for school children,
and early identification of and intervention for
children who begin kindergarten disadvantaged
due to learning disabilities or socioeconomic fac-
tors.

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES
& STATE MEDIA SERVICES BRANCH
Gail C. Bailey, Chief
(410) 767-0448

The School Library Media Services and State
Media Services Branch originated in 1968 as the
Office of School Libraries and Instructional Mate-
rials Services. The Office reorganized as the School
Library Media Services Section in 1970, became
the School Library Media Services Branch in 1978
and received its present name in 1987. Formerly
within the Division of Library Development and
Services, the Branch joined the Division of Instruc-
tion and Staff Development in 1995.
The Branch helps public and private schools use
school library media in print, audiovisual and elec-
tronic formats. The Branch also helps schools use
electronic information technology in teaching. For
Department staff, the State Media Center provides
information and audiovisual services.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT BRANCH
Gaye E. Brown, Chief
(410) 767-0381

The Staff Development Branch formed in 1981
within the Division of Certification and Accredita-
tion. In 1994, the Branch became part of the
Division of Instruction and Staff Development.
The Branch oversees regional staff development
centers serving the Eastern Shore, Baltimore City,
Prince George's County, and western Maryland. It
also is responsible for the Instructional Framework
System, School Improvement Leadership Training,
and Technical Assistance and Support Teams Train-
ing, and State Aided Institutions Grants.

DIVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

Carol Ann Baglin, Assistant State Superintendent
for Special Education

200 West Baltimore St. (410) 767-0238
Baltimore, MD 21201 TTY (410) 333-2666

Estabhshed in 1988, the Division of Special
Education works with parents and local school
systems to educate all children and youth with
disabilities. The Division assists local school systems
with early childhood programs, individual educa-
tion plans, nondiscriminatory testing, personnel
development, and program evaluation. It also su-
pervises education in approved public and private
institutions and assesses the educational needs of
children with profound or complex disabilities.
Administering both State and federal programs
for special education, the Division directs three
branches: Nonpublic Schools, Program Admini-
stration and Support, and Program Development
and Assistance.

NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS BRANCH
Richard L. Gamble, Sr., Chief
(410) 767-0264

The Nonpublic Schools Branch began in 1978.
Through the Nonpublic Tuition Assistance Program, the
Branch partially reimburses local school systems for the cost
of educating children with disabilities in private schools with
programs that meet their special needs. The Branch ensures
that the children are placed in regular classrooms or in
programs that encourage their independence. To ensure
compliance with State and federal regulanons, the Branch
monitors day and residential schools.
With the State Coordinating Council, the
Branch reviews all residential placements of special
education students in out-of-state private schools.
It also cooperates with the Office of Children,
Youth, and Families and other State agencies to
expand community programs so that children with
disabilities may return from out of state to regular
classrooms in Maryland.
The Branch enforces due process regulations un-
der the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (P.L. 101-476). These regulations establish spe-
cific procedural safeguards for children and their par-
ents to ensure that fair, reasonable and appropriate
special programs are provided to them. In the place-
ment of children with disabilities, the Branch moni-
tors local hearing procedures and implements
procedures for State hearings by the Office of Admin-
istrative Hearings. It also investigates and resolves
complaints about special education placements in
nonpublic schools and due process procedures.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
& SUPPORT BRANCH
Jerry F. White, Chief
(410) 767-0249

The Program Administration and Support
Branch was organized as the Program Administra-
tion and Evaluation Branch in 1978 and received
its present name in 1992. The Branch works with
local school systems to provide special education.