Jacqueline F. Brown, the Howard County school system's director of academic reform, has resigned from her position to become chief administrative officer in Prince George's County under its newly elected county executive, Jack B. Johnson.

"She's going to help me manage the county," Johnson said yesterday. "We are going to focus on the quality of life and raising the standards. ... She'll be the person responsible for making that happen."

Johnson said Brown's background in education administration gave her the kind of management skills he was looking for. He had interviewed her for an education position within the county, but after meeting her he realized she was qualified to be chief administrative officer.

"She got promoted during the interview," he said.

Howard schools Superintendent John R. O'Rourke said Brown's work with the school system - particularly her efforts to close the achievement gap among ethnic groups - is invaluable. "It's a great loss," he said. "She left behind a legacy of commitment and appreciation that's really very, very special."

Brown, who has served as director of academic reform for 11 years, said she is looking forward to the career shift and is confident Howard will continue what she started: raising awareness of minority student issues.

"Lots and lots of people have already stepped up to that plate," Brown said. "There's no question in my mind that they will continue to go forward and stay focused on the kids that had been forgotten."