The State Superintendent of Schools, Lillian M. Lowery, Ed.D., directs the State Department of Education and executes the policies and enforces the regulations adopted by the State Board of Education.

The State Superintendent also chairs the Interagency Committee on School Construction and is a member of several boards and commissions, including:

• Maryland State Board of Education
• Governor's Executive Council
• Children’s Cabinet
• State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care
• Coordinating Council for Juvenile Services Educational Programs
• Superintendent’s Family Engagement Council
• State Advisory Council on Administrative Hearings
• Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature
• Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism
• Governor’s Workforce Investment Board
• Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness
• Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, Ex officio member
• P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland – Ex officio member
• Maryland Longitudinal Data System Governing Board – Ex officio member

The State Superintendent also directly oversees the Division of Library Development and Services and the Division of Rehabilitation Services.