Feud With O'Malley a Test for Assertive Schools Chief

Asked what she has done as the superintendent of Maryland schools for the past 16 years, Nancy S. Grasmick didn't play modest.

She talked about bringing statewide tests, data-driven accountability and a consciousness of achievement gaps to Maryland. She spoke of a strong effort in math, science and technology education and making students competitive in a global economy. She discussed setting a statewide curriculum, attracting talented teachers, putting a focus on special education and establishing a parents' advisory council.

She spoke uninterrupted for several minutes, talking on a cellphone while driving to a meeting.

"Do you want me to go on?" she asked.

Survey the landscape of Maryland education and you'll find Grasmick's brush strokes all over, from the high-stakes High School Assessments and Maryland School Assessments used to meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind law to accountability testing started long before the federal government got involved. Under Maryland law, the state superintendent's post, with responsibility for crafting and enforcing statewide education policy, is a powerful position largely independent of the executive, legislative and even judicial branches.

Unlike in many states, the schools superintendent is neither elected nor directly appointed by a governor: William Donald Schaefer, Parris N. Glendening and Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. have all served as governor and left public office, while Grasmick has remained. She is now the second-longest-serving state education chief in the United States; the state education building in Baltimore is named after her.

Now Grasmick, 68, is locked in a bitter feud with a fourth governor. Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), who quarreled with her when he was mayor of Baltimore, wants her out of office. Last week, top state lawmakers asked the State Board of Education for a delay in the renewal of her contract to give the governor additional time to appoint new members of the board -- members who would presumably give O'Malley the majority he would need to oust her.

The board ignored the request and renewed Grasmick's contract for another four years. The next day, O'Malley announced the appointment of three new state board members, and legislators began talking about a way to block the approval of Grasmick's contract.

Schaefer, who supported Grasmick's original appointment and is a close friend, is not one to underestimate the united power of the governor and legislative leaders. But he wanted it known where he would put his money.

"If I had to bet on one, I'd bet on her," he said.

The Early Years

Grasmick's path to education began with her near-death. When she was 16, she had strep throat. A doctor gave her penicillin to fight the infection, not knowing that she was allergic. The reaction was nearly fatal, and for a time she was barely able to breathe. She also was deaf for two years until an operation largely restored her hearing.

The experience left her fascinated with the deaf. She began her career as an educator, teaching the deaf at the William S. Baer School in Baltimore, and went on to get a master's degree in deaf education from Gallaudet University. She moved to the Baltimore County school system, serving as a teacher and administrator for 25 years.