Senior Executive Director, Literacy Programs & Initiatives; Program Manager Senior IV

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world‑class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

• State Salary Grade 26
• Salary Range $128,818 - $166,648 with progression to $203,150/year
• State Salary Guidelines may apply for current State employees.

• Nancy
• S. Grasmick Education Building
• 200
• West Baltimore Street
• Baltimore,
• MD 21201

The Executive Director of Literacy Programs and Initiative provides strategic and transformative leadership for the implementation of the literacy initiatives and State Literacy Framework to dramatically improve reading proficiency for students from all backgrounds in Maryland as indicated by improved outcomes on the state MCAP assessment and the NAEP exam to meet the aspirational target of Maryland to rank as one of the top ten states in reading on the 4th and 8th grade NAEP exams by 2027 established the Maryland State Board of Education.

Also the position will support the State’s literacy initiatives by leading professional learning and transformative initiatives that include crafting policies aligned with Science of Reading, State and Federal requirements including but not limited to curriculum adoption, assessment, data analysis, an early warning system, interventions, and accountability. This position provides content area expertise, and oversight to all state literacy and English Language Arts (ELA) programs, projects, and initiatives Pre-K to 12 in Maryland public schools and oversees the development and deployment of best in class, research-based support to LEAs to implement comprehensive literacy programs that are aligned to the science of reading, elevate ELA content standards in teaching and learning, and ensure access to high-quality instruction for all students across the state, especially those who have been historically underserved.

Additionally, the Executive Director ensures students are proficient in reading by the end of third grade and that intervention and support is available for struggling readers throughout their Pre-K to 12 learning experience, thereby ensuring students can build content knowledge across all subjects, develop critical thinking skills, and apply their skills to authentic world problems.

• In close collaboration with the Assistant State Superintendent of Instructional Programs provides Statewide Leadership for the Instructional Implementation of the Literacy Framework. Leads the coherent statewide implementation of Maryland’s PreK–12 Comprehensive Literacy Policy and statewide rollout of universal literacy screening expectations (PreK–3 and Grades 4–12). Directs the statewide Science of Reading professional learning system, including SUNY, AIM, early childhood modules, and district‑led cohorts.
  
  Directs targeted technical assistance to LEAs needing support with HQIM fidelity, MTSS alignment, SRIPs, or adolescent literacy implementation. Oversees the development of statewide literacy guidance, standards crosswalks, instructional frameworks, SRIP templates, and intervention requirements, and statewide literacy coaching structures, including coaching networks, coaching pilots, and job‑embedded support aligned to HQIM. Oversees planning, allocation, and management of philanthropic, federal (Title II, CLSD), and state funds supporting literacy initiatives and monitoring of COMAR literacy reporting requirements, including annual K–3 screening, intervention data, and literacy plan…