![[photo, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School, 500 North Caroline St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/images/1198-1-2717.jpg)
In Maryland, public education is a responsibility shared by State, county and Baltimore City government. The State Board of Education sets educational standards, certifies teachers, partially funds school construction and instruction, and monitors school performance. The Board also oversees the State Department of Education. County boards of education often set additional requirements, develop new programs, and provide substantial local funding. Local, State and federal funds combined to provide $8.1 billion for Maryland public schools in the 2005-06 school year. The average cost per pupil was $9,628 in the 2005-06 school year.
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School, 500 North Caroline St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2008. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
On national tests, Maryland students consistently excel. Some 71 percent of Maryland public high school students took the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) in 2005, a high participation rate. In Advanced Placement tests, Maryland ranks second in the nation with 22 percent of high school students scoring at the college mastery levels.
Prettyboy Elementary School, 19810 Middletown Road, Freeland, Maryland, July 2006. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
![[photo, Margaret Brent Elementary School, 100 East 26th St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/images/1198-1-1774.jpg)
The Maryland school year is a minimum 180 days long. Schools are open for a ten-month period, from about Labor Day to mid-June. Opening and closing dates vary from county to county. Kindergarten is mandatory for children who are five years of age by September 1. The State also requires that children, ages 5 to 16, attend school. Elementary and middle school students attend school at least 6 hours a day, high school students 6.5 hours a day. Students may attend school up to age 21.
Margaret Brent Elementary School, 100 East 26th St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
More stringent requirements for graduation from high school were set by the State in 1992. Credits required were increased from 20 to 21. General requirements were replaced with particular courses, or courses with specific content. Fewer credits were reserved for electives (nonrequired courses chosen by students). Beginning with the graduating class of 2009, students must take and pass the Maryland High School Assessment exams in algebra and data analysis, biology, english, and government in order to graduate. They also must perform 75 hours of volunteer community service approved by the State.
Special Public School Programs. These cover prekindergarten for four-year olds; and career and technology education, including consumer and homemaking classes. Gifted and talented programs also are offered by the State, on a tuition basis, at summer centers for students who qualify academically, meet geographical distribution requirements, and are able to pay the cost.
Special education services for students with disabilities range from aid for part or all of a school day to specialized services for homebound students or those in separate facilities or hospitals. Within the State Department of Education, the Division of Special Education and Early Intervention Services administers both State and federal programs for special education.