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Special Initiatives

The following BSAP programs and tools are in place to help students at the secondary level achieve.

Academic Transition Assistants

These full-time school-based staff serve several unique roles for black students in middle and high school.

• Academic case managers
• Academic support specialists
• Consultants to staff
• Resources to parents and the community.

Academic Transition Assistants are placed in all county high schools and five middle schools; Cradlerock, Wilde Lake, Patuxent Valley, Murray Hill and Oakland Mills.

Academic Mentors

Contracted, temporary school-based staff serving several unique roles for black students primarily in the transition grades of 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12. They serve as

• Academic case managers
• Academic support specialists
• Consultants to staff, and
• Resources to parents and the community.

Academic Mentors are placed in two high schools - River Hill and Howard.

BSAP Student Advisory Council (SAC)

Proactive countywide, student leadership organization that serves in support of the mission of the Black Student Achievement Program by promoting academic achievement, dignity, and service. Student delegates represent the HCPSS high schools.

• Monthly meetings
• Develops and practices leadership skills
• Guest Speakers
• The “Apprentice: HS Style!” - Small group research presentations which cover:
  • Sharing Positive African Americans in the News
  • Examining Unusual Careers
  • Resolving Conflicts in a Positive Manner
  • Completing College Applications
  • Building Racial Relations
  • Researching Historically Black Colleges and Universities

BSAP Parent Advisory Council

Monthly meetings featuring information and support on critical issues that impact the academic achievement and personal, social and cultural development of Black students and their parents. Call the BSAP office for additional dates, times, and topics.

Saturday Math Academy (SMA)

BSAP sponsors the SMA which meets every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Media Center at Oakland Mills High School. SMA is open to all Howard County students from grades 4 to 12.

Students attending may be above, below or on grade level.

Students are assigned to teachers and receive individual assistance and sometimes work in small groups on identified math skills. These skills are determined from a pre-test which is given at the beginning of the program. The SMA requests parents to bring interim reports, report cards and any other pertinent information that can inform teachers on specific skills their child may need.

A post-test is given at the end of each quarter to monitor progress. Attendance (although this variable can not be controlled) is also monitored and used in addition to test results when analyzing data.

Rising Scholars Banquet

For those "Rising Scholars" who have met their academic goals.

Academic Celebrations

Quarter, semester, and end-of-year recognition of students who have made the Honor Roll

Cultural and Historical Field Trips

Field experiences to various sites such as The Great Blacks in Wax Museum, The Howard County Center for African American Culture, Maryland Museum of African American Art and The Ellicott City Colored School. Call the BSAP office for details.

School-based Initiatives

Initiatives include Peer Tutoring, Brother-to-Brother Meetings, Sister-to-Sister Meetings and BSAP Teen Summit.