Update from the Superintendent on the Special Education Program Review

November 15th, 2024

The following message was sent by Superintendent Bill Barnes to the HCPSS community on Nov. 15, 2024.

As we continue to progress through the school year, I will be providing updates on systemic challenges that are of interest to members of our HCPSS family. Today, I want to share information on the special education program review that we are undertaking.

Before I provide an update on the program review, I want to address an event that occurred during a recent virtual meeting of the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) where an individual directed racial epithets toward our volunteer committee leadership. I lend my voice to the chorus of individuals and groups advocating profusely to eradicate hate and hateful language. I denounce this deplorable act of cowardice and was extremely saddened that SECAC leadership were targets of such a horrible demonstration. I am committed to ensuring that students, staff and our families experience a nurturing and safe environment and any acts of hate that threaten and negatively impact these experiences, will not be tolerated.

Ensuring that our special education services meet the needs of our students is critically important. So too is cultivating an environment that special educators desire to be a part of. To accomplish both objectives, I am pleased that we have initiated a comprehensive review of current special education processes, services and other supports to identify areas for immediate and long-term improvement.

I am counting on the full engagement of families, students and staff as we work to build a stronger special education program that fulfills the diverse and complex needs of our students. Howard County takes pride in its history of inclusive education. Not all students who receive special education supports need the same thing so it’s time to recommit to refining service models that having the staffing and other funding to further customize the services and supports needed to fulfill the values we express and prioritize. Our students who receive special education services, and our special educators, related services providers, and other support teachers, are assets to our schools and community. They deserve our best and are a significant part of what makes Howard County great – and greater is the goal!

Our Department of Special Education has begun the process of working with an external contractor to conduct a comprehensive review of special education services and related areas. At the most recent Board of Education meeting on November 7, 2024, Research Triangle Institute was approved to perform the program review and staff have begun discussions with the vendor so their work may begin quickly.

This program review will examine current services and supports, and offer comparisons with other districts and recommendations and considerations that will help us prioritize budgeting, resources, services, and support in special education. The formal Request for Proposal may be viewed online which details the work that will be done by the external contractor.

I have been eagerly anticipating this external review and look forward to strengthening existing services and supports and exploring new programs or service delivery options that will round out our continuum of services. As the process, timeline, and deliverables are established by the vendor, we will share that information publicly and provide updates throughout the program review process. It is expected that stakeholders such as parents, staff, and where appropriate, students, will be involved in the review process as facilitated by the vendor. Stakeholder voice will also be important when considering the review recommendations.

I take this review very seriously and am pleased that progress is being made towards improving our special education services.