As Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools, I’m confident that Maryland’s public schools are fully prepared to welcome the expected 25,000 plus new households and 60,000 new employment opportunities affected by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC).

The Maryland State Department of Education is focused on educational excellence, workforce readiness, and child care delivery. The Department’s BRAC website provides families with a wide array of information about Maryland’s local school systems in an effort to better assist them as they make the transition to Maryland.

On this webpage you will find links to Maryland’s 24 local school systems; security clearance information; and publications and materials that are topic specific or that provide a snapshot of Maryland’s education excellence. In addition, you will find information related to STEM education; the Gifted and Talented program; Minority Achievement; Environmental programs; Autism; Child Care; Career Technology Education; Teacher Certification and transfer; and the latest in BRAC news.

For information about specific local school systems and schools in Maryland, go to www.mdreportcard.org.

In Maryland we remain focused at making our education system the best in the country – and we’re succeeding. In 2009,

• Education Week ranked Maryland’s schools number 1 in the nation in its Quality Counts report on high school graduation, student achievement, academic standards, and accountability;
  
  
• The College Board ranked our Advanced Placement (AP) program number 1 in the nation for participation and performance, ranking first nationwide in the percentage of public school students scoring 3 or higher on at least one AP exam and ranking first nationwide in the percent of students taking AP exams; and,
  
  
• Newsweek Magazine said Maryland has the highest percentage of rigorous high schools where students are taking college-level courses with many located in BRAC areas.
  
  
• Maryland’s child care standards and oversight rank 5th best in the nation. In Leaving Children to Chance, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies said Maryland’s high child care standards and strict enforcement policies help protect children’s health, safety, and well-being.

You can find brochures detailing all this wonderful news on this website under publications. I can assure you that MSDE will continue to work with all school systems to ensure our State remains at the top – especially as those affected by BRAC begin to call Maryland their home.

Thank You and Welcome to Maryland!

Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick
State Superintendent of Schools