This handbook presents statistics about public and private schools in Maryland in the 1996-97 school year. In 1996, Maryland schools had an average daily membership of 800,610.4 students, with an average daily attendance of 747,468.4 students. These students, who attended 1,284 public schools and 1,105 nonpublic schools, were served by 88,465 full-time equivalent staff members. Of these, 62,500 were considered instructional staff. Nearly 70% of these teachers had an advanced professional certificate. Overall, the state's teachers had an average salary of $41,257. The first table presents selected statistics about education in the state as a whole. Other tables present some facts about the students, teachers, and schools, including information on graduates and dropouts. Statistics are presented for special education, vocational education, and for special populations, such as language minority students. Information on special programs and school services such as transportation is summarized. Other tables present some details about educational finance in Maryland. One table ranks Maryland in relation to other states in specific categories for selected periods between 1993 and 1997. (Contains 29 tables.) (SLD)