Nancy Grasmick

Experts say there's one rule that stands above all others when it comes to state testing programs: Never, ever publish results if you aren't sure they're correct. "There has to be confidence in the quality of the results," says Walter M. Haney, Boston College professor and senior research associate in the school's Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation and Educational Policy. "People have to believe that the results they're seeing are accurate." In states where mistaken scores have been published - and there have been many - the effects have been widespread: hundreds of schools wrongly praised or scorned, thousands of dollars in bonuses given to teachers who didn't deserve them, and even the scrapping of entire testing programs.

LOOK FOR Maryland schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick to propose streamlining teacher licensing regulations, the better to ease what is becoming a crisis in teacher supply in the Free State. Grasmick told a breakfast meeting of the Council for American Private Education on Friday that some Maryland teacher certification regulations are "antiquated" and that they discourage students who study education from entering the profession. Of the 2,500 teachers trained in Maryland each year, she said, only about 1,500 enter the profession.

She gave her pupils positive feedback -- and challenged some of the more eager ones to sit quietly until their classmates caught up. At the end of the lesson, she passed out autographs and hugs. State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick returned to her teaching roots yesterday when she visited Pine Grove Elementary School in Baltimore County and taught a reading lesson to a group of fourth-graders. "I love interacting with children, and it helps to keep me focused," said Grasmick at the end of a half-hour lesson.

Nancy S. Grasmick, state superintendent of schools, spoke recently with Richard C. Gross, editor of the Opinion Commentary page. What can the children, parents, teachers and principals expect in the coming school year in terms of improvements? There are higher levels of resources that are available to the schools, the economy of the state is good and schools have realized some of that, both at the local level and through state contributions as well as federal contributions. There's more of a focus.

State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick never mistook somber dress for professional dress. Every day, Grasmick, who lives in Phoenix, is abloom in brilliant colors and clothing themed to holidays and special events. Her reasons are twofold: One, she doesn't want to get lost in a crowd. And two, she knows kids love bright hues and fun clothing. For instance, she has a green suit with frog buttons that really go "ribbit" when you touch them. This Saturday, she and her husband, businessman Lou Grasmick, will escort long-time civic leader Walter Sondheim Jr. to a celebration that honors him and benefits the Maryland chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

I DON'T THINK NANCY S. Grasmick, the state school superintendent, has previewed public television's episode Sept. 10 of the "Merrow Report," but she's acting as though she has.The superintendent announced yesterday a new incentive package aimed at recruiting quality teachers and keeping them.Most of the inducements look to the long term. Most are aimed at improving the profession rather than luring new talent with bonuses, tax breaks and other gimmicks such as those included in her first plan last winter.

IF STATE SCHOOLS Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick had her way, public schooling in Maryland would end at the 11th grade. The money spent on the terminal year of high school would be "front-loaded" on a year of education -- heavy on literacy -- for Maryland's 85,000 4-year-olds.Grasmick is only partly serious. Exchanging 12th grade for pre-kindergarten would raise a host of practical, legal and political problems, not least of which is the opposition that would come from Dr. Laura's conservative stay-at-home moms.

A CALIFORNIA lawsuit has challenged for the first time the lack of demanding courses in predominantly minority, low-income high schools. If the suit succeeds, look out, Maryland.The last week in July, the American Civil Liberties Union and attorney Johnnie Cochran filed a class action suit in Los Angeles claiming that rich schools unconstitutionally offer more Advanced Placement (AP) courses than poor schools do. The disparity, the ACLU said, gives wealthier kids a leg up in college admissions.

Heart-healthy cuisine and the appearance of two celebrities were among the highlights at the ninth annual Heartfest for the benefit of the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease.Actress/choreographer Debbie Allen and Earl Woods, father of PGA phenom Tiger Woods, joined the more than 1,400 guests at the Martin's West event. Both are spokespeople for heart-disease prevention. As for the heart-healthy gourmet fare, it was the contribution of more than 20 area restaurants.

IN 1997, Maryland took a step that should have a profound impact on its future -- an agreement that will provide higher levels of funding for the beleaguered Baltimore City public schools, in exchange for increased accountability for the use of those funds.The agreement did not come easily, nor was it an isolated accomplishment. Indeed, it could never have happened outsidethe context of a tough, long-term strategy for education that aims to reshape public schools across the state.As we survey the past year, searching out accomplishments and the people who made them possible, Maryland's school reform effort stands out as a signal achievement.