Inclusivity, Accessibility, Welcoming Environments & Positive School Cultures
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) recognizes that the quality and character of school life powerfully affects student motivation to learn. This understanding is in line with a growing body of research—and legislation—that supports the importance of a safe and nurturing school climate to promoting student academic achievement and healthy youth development.
The commitment of HCPSS to a sustainable, supportive school climate—and its connection to student achievement—has been carefully framed in Vision 2018, the school system’s five-year strategic plan.
Diversity and Inclusion
HCPSS is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all students and ensuring that all backgrounds and interests equally represent the voice of the student body. Students have the opportunity to share their experiences both inside and outside of school and to contribute to programs that promote positive behavior in their school community and foster respect for all cultures and diversity throughout the system.
The Howard County Public School System acknowledges and supports the rights of all students to receive a free appropriate public education that will enable them to develop their unique talents and abilities, thus preparing them to participate in and serve their community with dignity and pride. We offer a continuum of services, supports, and programs to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires schools to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in services, programs and activities.
Section 504 is a federal law that protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. The Act prohibits any organization that receives federal funds from discriminating against otherwise qualified individuals because of a disability. School programs and activities are subject to this law.
The Howard County Public School System is committed to ensuring that no qualified student with a disability will be discriminated or retaliated against and/or denied an educational benefit or opportunity on the basis of a disability. For more information, visit our Section 504 area.
The Howard County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy/Girl Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Equity Assurance Manager
Howard County Public School System
10910 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1–800–421–3481.
If you come across a section, page, video or document on this site that you believe should be reviewed for its accessibility, please submit more information via the online form – Accessibility Feedback Form for Content on www.hcpss.org.
Web accessibility ensures access to the web for everyone regardless of disability (visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive) and our site allows access of district-wide information regardless of hardware, software, device, or manner of site navigation.
For further information on accessibility and HCPSS compliance under Section 504 and Title II, visit the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights website.