The Student Achievement and Professional Development Branch (SAPD) provides ongoing professional development and technical assistance through systematic planning, implementation, and evaluation processes to improve the quality of instruction and individualized education program development for increased student achievement. By accessing available federal resources, support for State and local efforts or initiatives to improve performance of students with disabilities and their achievement of State standards, grants are made available to local school systems and institutions of higher education. The Branch monitors and provides technical assistance for four grants which include: AYP and HSA achievement grants, Part B: Institutions of Higher Education Grant and the Maryland Personnel Development Grant (State Improvement Grant).

Vision: State and Local staff will have the capacity to improve student achievement as a result of meaningful data collection, analysis and professional development.

Mission: Provide technical assistance (TA) and ongoing professional development through the development of systematic planning, implementation, and evaluation processes to improve the quality of instruction to increase student achievement.

Provide and access available resources to support State and Local efforts and/or initiatives to improve performance of students with disabilities and their achievement of State standards.