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introducing our 2026 board

Ms. Deborah Gilmartin

Executive Director
With 38 years in public education, Deborah has been a leader at the Maryland Assessment Group (MAG) since 1990, and was Executive Director from 2021-2025. 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. Mary Klyap

Executive Director, Elect
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.

Dr. Kecia L. Addison

Board Member, Program Director
Dr. Kecia L. Addison, Director of Shared Accountability for Montgomery County Public Schools, has over 25 years of experience in research and evaluation. She holds a Ph.D. in Academic Psychology and a Master’s in Educational Psychology. A champion for educational equity, Dr. Addison led the nationally recognized Evidence of Learning and Equity Accountability Model, earning the Magna Award. Her leadership focuses on shaping accountability systems that remove barriers and expand access for underrepresented students. Locally and nationally, she offers a strategic perspective to drive systemic change and improve outcomes for all youth.

Dr. Rachel Amstutz

Board Member, Communication Director
Dr. Rachel Amstutz is an experienced teacher, professional developer, long-serving principal, adjunct faculty member, policy director and entrepreneur. Working at the intersection of research, practice, and systems change, she designs structures that connect vision to implementation. Her approach is human-centered, innovative, and results-oriented, grounded in the belief that sustainable excellence requires clear vision, aligned execution, and accountability for impact. She develops leaders who think deeply and act decisively and builds systems that translate strategy into measurable results. Outside of her work, she is usually creating something! She loves dogs, travel, paddleboarding, — bringing the same insatiable curiosity to life that she brings to her work.

Mr. Ryan Jones

Board Member, Conference Director
Ryan Jones is the Manager of Assessment for Baltimore County Public Schools, leading comprehensive programs aligned with district strategic priorities. With over 20 years of experience, Ryan possesses deep expertise in implementing local, state, and federal testing and delivering professional development for school leaders. He is recognized for translating complex data and policy into actionable insights. A recipient of the 2023 Standards of Excellence Award, Ryan is an outcome-driven leader committed to advancing educational equity, strengthening accountability, and improving student achievement through rigorous analysis and effective communication.

Our Vision

To be the premier collaborative hub where research, policy, and practice unite to transform assessment and accountability into tools for equity, driving measurable success for every learner in the state of Maryland.

Our Mission Pillars

Advancing Maryland Assessment Excellence
To improve the knowledge base and practices of educational assessment within the State of Maryland and to review trends throughout the United States. To promote and endorse the design of reliable and valid instruments to be used by Maryland educators as they strive to improve learning for all Maryland students in all Maryland classroom as they strive to improve learning for all Maryland public school students.
Driving Evidence-Based Improvement
To promote the best practices of school improvement as it relates to research, evaluation, and assessment.
Empowering Professional Growth
To support and promote staff development activities, educational best practices, and policies dealing directly or indirectly with educational measurement.

Our History

Nearly 40 Years of Bridging Research & Practice
1985: Born in a Storm
The Meeting: Local coordinators, MSDE staff, and UMD department heads met in Ocean City to solve a problem: how to bridge the gap between state accountability and local practice. The Spark: Despite Hurricane Gloria hitting the coast, the founders persisted, officially forming MAG over spirited discussions. The first MAG conference was held in 1986 with exclusively district assessment staff.
1990: The Great Pivot
The Crisis: Budget cuts and state testing changes nearly derailed MAG, which impacted attendance and MAG's mission. The Strategy: To save the mission, MAG moved the conference to November, established Ocean City as its permanent home, and opened its doors to teachers and curriculum leaders.
1991 – Present: Growth & Impact
The Surge: Not only did attendance jump, lasting collaborations were formed across staff from LEAs, MSDE, and other educational entities.
Today: MAG now serves as the premier space where LEAs, MSDE, and University researchers collaborate on the future of Maryland education. Focused professional learning strands that address current educational problems and provide collaboration, ideas, solutions, and innovation for all participants.