Maryland has 24 public school districts serving 869,113 students. The State Board of Education has 12 members, appointed by the governor, who set the state's education policies and standards for students from pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. In addition, the Board is responsible for setting educational standards for correctional education and vocational rehabilitation facilities.
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Current Events
The MSDE Web site provides information for all upcoming education events and meetings.
Content Standards
In Maryland, content standards specify what students from kindergarten through grade 12 should know and be able to do in the content areas of reading/literacy, mathematics, and science. Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC) defines Maryland's standards for each grade level, Pre-K through 8. Maryland's standards for high school are defined in their Core Learning Goals (CLG). The VSC and CLG are the documents that align the Maryland Content Standards and the Maryland Assessment Program and are available in a number of formats for teachers, central office staff, students, parents, and the other interested parties.
Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC) for Grades Pre-K through 8
Core Learning Goals (CLG) for High School
Assessment
Maryland's Division of Accountability and Assessment provides information management, data analysis, and interpretation services for school districts, schools, and parents. It also administers the annual criterion-referenced Maryland School Assessment (MSA) tests for Pre-K - 8 students. The high school program provides assessments through the High School Assessment program (HAS).
Maryland School Assessment (MSA) for Grades Pre-K through 8
High School Assessment (HSA)
Sample HSA items
Curriculum and Instruction
The Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC) in Maryland defines what students should know and be able to do at each grade level Pre-K through grade 8 in academic content areas.
It also defines what students should know and be able to do in reading/literacy in grade 10.
Professional Organizations
Maryland has a variety of professional organizations. The links below provide access to associations that offer networking and professional development opportunities, as well as access to many other useful resources.
AAPT is the regional chapter of the American Center for Physics. Web site posts opportunities for professional development and networking events in the Chesapeake region.
AIMS is a voluntary organization of private, independent elementary and college preparatory schools in Maryland and the District of Columbia. All 105-member schools work together to improve education for their more than 38,000 students.
The goal of MABT is to increase and disseminate the knowledge related to the biological sciences.
MAEOE encourages, trains, and supports Maryland educators to "build a citizenry that understands and is responsibly engaged in promoting sustainability, addressing human needs, and conserving the Earth's natural resources."
MAST, a local affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association, makes science accessible and enjoyable to the citizens of Maryland by promoting and supporting career education in science and technology, instruction for general science literacy, and science outreach programs in all geographic regions of Maryland.
MCSM focuses on leadership in mathematics education and issues. MCSM is an affiliate of MCTM.
A local chapter of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, MCTM supports teachers in their professional endeavors that help them become agents of change in mathematics education.
MSSA is a professional association of science supervisory personnel from across the state of Maryland. The purpose of the organization is to improve science education in the state of Maryland.
MSTA is the local affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), which represents over 2.7 million public education teachers, support professionals, retired educators, school administrators, higher education faculty, and future educators.
Informal Education
Informal education institutions, such as museums, nature centers, zoos and aquariums, and planetariums, combine classroom learning with hands-on educational experiences. The links below provide access to the many different informal education centers throughout Maryland.
Museums and Science Centers
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum has developed innovative programs for teachers of grades three through six to teach their students about the crabbing and "oystering" industries of the Chesapeake Bay.
The mission of the Chesapeake Children's Museum is to "create an environment of discovery about oneself, the peoples, the technologies, and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay area for all children." The Museum's Web site offers a comprehensive calendar of educational events for all school age children.
The Poe House and Museum offers access to many of Edgar Allen Poe's stories, poems, reviews, and editorial items. Guided tours are available.
The Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum has the goal to promote and preserve aviation and space history in Maryland. Education initiatives include a monthly speaker program, lectures, and guided tours.
HEM is an interactive museum that focuses on all aspects of electronics history.
HBOSC provides excellence in science and technology education through student centered programs and services. Owned and operated by the Prince George's County Public Schools, HBOSC offers opportunities to participate in unique activity-based science instruction.
The mission of the Maryland Science Center is to "create awareness of the importance of science to our lives and to stimulate people, especially children, to learn science by creating exciting educational experiences." In the "For Educators" section of this Web site, teachers can plan field trips and sign up for professional development opportunities.
The Goddard Education Web site contains programs and activities for students and educators. The site provides links for students and educators to find the necessary application forms for both Goddard and NASA programs.
The National Cryptology Museum offers age appropriate, interactive programs designed to introduce students to cryptology's role in world history and how mathematics plays a role in cryptology.
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine uses the Civil War to highlight the technological and procedural advances made in the medical field between 1861-1865. A variety of educational resources are included on the museum's Web site.
The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum highlights the Navy's contribution to aviation. Life-size test aircrafts, test models, and hands-on exhibitions add to the educational experience.
Nature Centers, Parks, and Gardens
ANS fosters stewardship of the region's environment by educating citizens about the natural world, promoting conservation of biodiversity, and protecting wildlife habitat.
The Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center offers a short boardwalk trail that allows visitors to experience the majestic quality of cypress trees and the tranquility of the swamp. Exhibits offer an interactive look at local wildlife and cultural history of the area.
The Meadowside Nature Center offers a variety of subject matter for children and adults. In addition, you can take part in naturalist-led hikes and self-guided exhibits, animal displays, and interactive areas.
The Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge & Wildlife Visitor Center is a leading international research institute for wildlife and applied environmental research. It offers "Tools for Teachers," a Web site that offers an introduction to biological research methods.
Zoos, Aquariums, and Aviaries
The Maryland Zoo offers professional development opportunities throughout the year for teaching majors, schoolteachers, educators, and school administrators. The "Edzoocation" section of the Web site offers a variety of zoological resources for educators.
The National Aquarium offers learning programs and opportunities for teachers and schools as well as Teachers' Guides for grades K-12.
The Salisbury Zoo Education Department exists to promote an understanding and appreciation of wildlife, and to encourage the protection of animal populations, the preservation of habitats, ecological balance and diversity.
The Tri-State Zoological Park provides educational lectures that can be customized for any age range. Guided tours of the zoo are also offered.
Planetariums and Observatories
The Montgomery College Planetarium works with Montgomery Public Schools in developing a series of grade-specific planetarium programs.