Students, staff, families and community members were asked to share their input and feedback throughout the development of the plan. In addition to broad community engagement, feedback was gathered from the Superintendent’s Advisory on Special Education, the Superintendent's Cabinet, Board of Education members, the Department of Special Education leadership team, and many other central office staff.
The Superintendent’s Advisory on Special Education includes representatives from:
- Special Education Advisory Council (SECAC)
- The Council of Elders (TCOE)
- Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM)
- Parent-Teacher Association Council of Howard County (PTAC)
- Howard County Education Association (HCEA)
- Howard County Association of Supervisors and Administrators (HCASA)
- HCPSS students
- Community members at large
To ensure a thorough review, the Board of Education contracted with the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to conduct an independent evaluation of the HCPSS Special Education program. This process included two surveys—completed by 3,404 parents/community members and 2,684 students—along with 18 focus groups. In addition, DSE staff participated in 10 focus groups to share their first-hand perspectives. And, stakeholders were able to provide feedback through written submissions to the Department of Special Education and by participating in both in-person and virtual meetings.