About Us
The History of Our Organization
In October 1985, a group of local accountability coordinators, the assessment staff from the Maryland State Department of Education, and department heads from the University of Maryland, College Park, met in Ocean City, Maryland. The purpose of that meeting was to explore the possibility of creating a group to discuss issues facing Maryland's accountability program. Hurricane Gloria couldn't put a stop to this meeting, and over cocktails and spirited discussions, the Maryland Assessment Group (MAG) of Sykesville, Maryland, was formed.
In October 1986, the first annual MAG conference was held. That meeting began on Thursday afternoon and ended promptly at noon on Friday. In the beginning, only assessment staff members were invited to attend the MAG conference. The varieties of topics covered were technical and test-specific in nature.
The conference continued to thrive in the next few years, shifting from Ocean City to Wisp Ski Resort in Western Maryland and Solomon's Island. In October 1990, budget cuts and revisions to the state testing schedule almost derailed MAG, as most districts decided not to send representatives to the annual conference in Western Maryland. Approximately 80 people attended our teacher's conference.
A decision about the conference was made to revisit the schedule and allow it to continue without interrupting testing schedules while making it more affordable for districts to send representatives.
To accomplish this, the conference date was changed to November, and Ocean City became the permanent home of the MAG conference. In addition, the session was open to teachers and curriculum leaders throughout the state of Maryland. The following year and each year thereafter saw attendance grow, from 80 people attending in 1990 to more than 200 the following year.
Since that time, MAG has continued to average around 550 members annually. The conference continues to provide timely and meaningful information and allows members and vendors to engage in lively and informative discussions.
In October 1986, the first annual MAG conference was held. That meeting began on Thursday afternoon and ended promptly at noon on Friday. In the beginning, only assessment staff members were invited to attend the MAG conference. The varieties of topics covered were technical and test-specific in nature.
The conference continued to thrive in the next few years, shifting from Ocean City to Wisp Ski Resort in Western Maryland and Solomon's Island. In October 1990, budget cuts and revisions to the state testing schedule almost derailed MAG, as most districts decided not to send representatives to the annual conference in Western Maryland. Approximately 80 people attended our teacher's conference.
A decision about the conference was made to revisit the schedule and allow it to continue without interrupting testing schedules while making it more affordable for districts to send representatives.
To accomplish this, the conference date was changed to November, and Ocean City became the permanent home of the MAG conference. In addition, the session was open to teachers and curriculum leaders throughout the state of Maryland. The following year and each year thereafter saw attendance grow, from 80 people attending in 1990 to more than 200 the following year.
Since that time, MAG has continued to average around 550 members annually. The conference continues to provide timely and meaningful information and allows members and vendors to engage in lively and informative discussions.
Deborah Gilmartin
Executive Director
With 38 years in public education, Deborah has been a leader at the Maryland Assessment Group (MAG) since 1990, becoming Executive Director in 2021. She currently serves as the Supervisor of State Assessments and Accountability at Frederick County Public Schools, coordinating all state-mandated tests and ensuring compliance. Deborah is dedicated to system improvement through data-driven strategies and effective project management.
Dr. Jaime Bowers
Board Member
Dr. Jaime Bowers has over 25 years of experience as an educational leader. She is the Director of Testing, Research and Evaluation with Prince George's County Public Schools and a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Bowers is dedicated to establishing equitable assessment programs and using meaningful data to guide instruction and improve student outcomes. Her career began as an elementary school teacher.
Karen Hitch
Board Member
Karen Hitch is a dedicated educator with 28 years of experience in public education. She is the Supervisor of Assessments and Accountability for Wicomico County Public Schools, where she oversees educational assessments and accountability measures to support student achievement. Karen is also a key member of the WCPS Maryland Blueprint Steering Committee. A former Teacher of the Year, she remains committed to high-quality instruction and supporting new teachers.
Dr. Mary Klyap
Board Member
Dr. Mary Klyap is an accomplished educational leader with a Ph.D. in School Psychology and over two decades of experience in the Howard County Public School System. As the Coordinator of Data Literacy and Coaching, she champions the use of data for school improvement and equity. Dr. Klyap is a recognized expert in leveraging data for comprehensive educational change, from guiding student interventions to informing strategic planning.