In 1997, Maryland formed the Task Force on Education Funding Equity, Accountability, and Partnerships to ensure that students throughout Maryland have an equal opportunity for academic success. The Task Force's preliminary report features a comprehensive review of education funding and programs in grades K-12. The report presents membership and subcommittee rosters, a chronology of task force meetings, guiding principles of the task force, a summary of full committee meetings and public involvement, and critical issues and recommendations, the latter of which constitutes the bulk of the report and examines enhanced funding for at-risk students, including state funding for at-risk programs, targeted-improvement grants, professional development programs, and the maintenance of effort provision. The task force concentrated on Prince George's County public schools, since this district contained a significant percentage of at-risk students. It focuses on a desegregation lawsuit, the community schools education plan, school construction, teacher certification, professional development, financial accountability, public/private partnerships, effective management, work-force skills development, promoting success, and eliminating barriers. Eight appendices list the charge of the task force, targeted-improvement program charts, a corporate partnership on managerial excellence, and other information. (RJM)