Howard County Public School System

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certainly deserves its due right around Teacher Appreciation Day. The state agency's lofty goal is providing leadership and support for Maryland's systems of public education, library services, and rehabilitation services. MSDE is under the leadership of the State Superintendent of Schools. Through numerous divisions (including Academic Policy, Certification and Accreditation, and Special Education and Early Intervention), the agency creates and implements standards and policy for educational programs from pre-kindergarten through high school. MSDE also administers a variety of educational programs (such as Family Literacy and No Child Left Behind).