This paper presents the 2008 Maryland School Performance Report. It shows the academic performance results of the State and its 24 school systems. This report includes the results from the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) given in spring 2008, information about the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and information about the credentials of Maryland teachers. Maryland is required by NCLB to assess reading, math, and science achievement at the elementary, middle and high school levels to show how well children are learning so parents and educators can be sure every child has the opportunity to succeed. Maryland fulfills NCLB by reporting scores on the MSA and the High School Assessment (HSA) to the U. S. Department of Education. Each local school system is also required to produce a similar report with information on each of its schools. Performances of school systems and schools are measured against specific annual targets required by NCLB. The 2008 data, first released on Maryland State Department of Education's (MSDE's) web site at MdReportCard.org in June 2008, includes disaggregated data reported by gender and race/ethnicity if five or more students are included in one of the following categories: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, African American, White (not of Hispanic origin) and Hispanic. Performance data are also reported when five or more students are in the following categories: Limited English Proficient, Free/Reduced Price Meals (FARMS), Special Education, and Migrant. These categories are defined on the web site. Each student's performance is graded as Basic (lowest level), Proficient, or Advanced (highest level).