Howard County Public Schools Make Progress in Diversifying Workforce

January 27th, 2017

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is making significant progress in increasing levels of racial and ethnic diversity and experience among new teachers and other staff, according to the latest annual Human Resources report presented yesterday to the Board of Education.

“More Howard County students will see teachers and staff who look like them or can relate to their experience as the school system makes progress in diversifying our workforce,” said Superintendent Renee A. Foose.

During the 2015–2016 school year, 27.6 percent of newly hired teachers represented racial and ethnic minorities, up from 13.6 percent in the previous year. The level of diversity among school-based administrators is also on the upswing, from 23 percent five years ago to a current level of 28 percent. This year, 30 percent of new principals and 54.5 percent of new assistant principals represent racial and ethnic minority groups.

The proportion of highly experienced teachers among new hires has also increased. Among teachers new to the system this year, 44 percent have five or more years of experience, up from 29 percent during the 2011–2012 school year.

School systems nationally are facing challenges in filling teaching vacancies due to a general decline in enrollment in teacher preparatory programs, relative shortages in several critical subject areas, and a low proportion of candidates representing ethnic and racial minorities. But HCPSS is successfully beating those odds through a variety of initiatives to attract a diverse and highly qualified workforce.

The system employs several recruitment strategies designed to attract a broad pool of highly qualified and diverse candidates. These include “grow your own” programs that encourage and support current students and employees in pursuing a teaching degree; a targeted diversity recruitment advertising campaign; and partnerships with local, highly diverse universities. Other initiatives are improving the effectiveness of the recruitment and hiring processes. These include focus groups, streamlined application tracking and management systems, and enhanced onboarding processes.

The full report and presentation can be viewed online.