The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) unveiled a five-year strategic plan on Thursday designed to strengthen its special education program and provide consistent support for students across the district.
The initiative, titled Building Better Together: Strategic Support for Growth and Success, was presented during a Board of Education meeting and emphasizes district-wide alignment in services. While board members welcomed the plan, some raised concerns about its reliance on student outcomes as primary measures of success.
A Comprehensive Framework for Growth of Howard County Public School
The new strategy reflects collaboration among staff, students, families, and community stakeholders, who helped identify both strengths and gaps within the current system. Acting Director of Special Education Jennifer Riccardi emphasized that the district’s goal is to deliver best practices consistently across all schools.
“We have best practices in many of our spaces, but we are not consistent at a district-wide level,” Riccardi said.
The plan is organized around five key themes:
- Accelerating Student Learning – improving Individualized Education Program (IEP) progress and ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction.
- Enhancing Supportive and Safe Learning Environments – creating inclusive classrooms and resources that meet diverse student needs.
- Increasing Staff Support and Capacity Building – expanding professional development pipelines for teachers and specialists.
- Implementing Organizational Improvements – strengthening internal systems and processes for efficiency.
- Fostering Family and Community Engagement – improving transparency and collaboration with families.
Each theme is paired with measurable goals, strategies, and progress indicators. For example, targets include expanding staff roles such as autism specialists and coordinators, and creating clear communication pathways between schools and families.
Supporting Educators and Students Alike
Board Chair Jolene Mosley noted that while the plan focuses heavily on student outcomes, more emphasis should also be placed on teacher experiences. She suggested that measuring educator capacity and confidence could provide a fuller picture of the program’s success.
“If educators feel they are able to meet the needs of their students and see progress, that should be reflected in how we evaluate this plan,” Mosley said.
District leaders agree that the framework extends beyond special education. Jenn Webster, Howard County Public School chief Academic Officer, highlighted that the infrastructure being built will support all learners, including multilingual students and those experiencing emotional challenges.
“Whether we’re talking about students with an IEP, a multilingual learner, or a student in crisis, this plan gives us stronger systems for everyone,” Webster explained.
Implementation is already underway, with new staff added to strengthen specialized services. In addition, a public dashboard will soon be launched, allowing families and community members to track progress in real time. An implementation team has been tasked with ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure the plan remains effective over its five-year span.
Looking Ahead
For Howard County Public School , this plan represents a significant step toward building a more consistent and supportive educational environment. By focusing on student learning, staff development, organizational systems, and family partnerships, the district aims to set a higher standard for inclusive education.
While challenges remain—particularly in balancing student and educator-focused measures—school leaders believe the plan provides a clear roadmap for improvement. Families and educators will play a critical role in shaping its success, with transparency and accountability at the core of the district’s commitment.
As the five-year strategy moves forward, Howard County’s education community will be watching closely to see how the plan translates into meaningful progress for students, teachers, and schools.