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Selecting a Quality School

A Guide to Finding a School to Meet Your Child's Educational Needs

Which school in Howard County is the best?

When parents ask this question, what they are really asking is how they can find a school to best meet the educational needs of their child.

Of course, we believe each in the Howard County Public School System is excellent. Each has its own unique climate, a special blend of faculty and staff, and a principal with his or her own administrative style. All these elements play an integral part in the school's overall effectiveness.

Many times parents and others are inclined to use standardized test scores as a measure of a quality school. Although test scores are a part of the academic picture of a school, the Maryland State Department of Education warns that is not possible to draw final conclusions about the quality of a school or a school system based only on minimal information presented as test results. So, how do you judge the quality of a school and how can you determine if a particular school will adequately meets your child's educational needs?

Before making a decision about a particular school, it's important that you and your child experience the school first hand. Schedule a visit and while you are touring the school keep in mind the seven characteristics of a quality school as identified by the national effective schools movement:

1. A safe and orderly environment

The school climate should be conducive to teaching and learning; a purposeful atmosphere, free from threat of physical harm. Look to see if the school is clean, safe, and well-maintained. Is positive behavior by students recognized and reinforced?

2. A climate of high expectations for success

In a quality school, the staff believes that all students can attain mastery of essential academic skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening, mathematics, thinking, problem-solving, and studying), and they have the ability to help all students attain that mastery. Do all staff members demonstrate their belief that all students can learn and that they, as educators, are important in the process?

3. Instructional leadership

The role of the principal is that of instructional leader as well as school manager. The principal is also responsible for setting the climate of the school. Can the principal identify instructional problems and has he or she adjusted the school program to meet the needs of the students?

4. A clear and focused mission

The most successful human endeavors are guided by a clear, articulated vision. A school's mission must be understood by the entire school community and all must be committed to specific instructional goals, assessment procedures, and accountability. Does the school have a mission statement and is that mission the basis for decisions that are made at the school?

5. Opportunity to learn and adequate "time on task"

In order for a school to be effective, teachers must allow a significant amount of classroom time for instruction in the essential academic skills. Is adequate time spent on critical skill mastery? Are the facilities and supplies adequate?

6. Frequent monitoring of student progress

Student academic progress must be measured frequently and with a variety of assessment methods. The results should be used to improve individual student performance and to improve the instructional program. Are student assignments appropriate and are they returned promptly? Is there evidence that a variety of appropriate formal and informal assessments are being used by teachers?

7. Home-school relations

As the child's primary teacher, the parent plays a critical role in a child's education. Therefore, a strong home-school link increases a child's chances for academic success. Does the school communicate frequently with parents? Does the school welcome and encourage substantive parent and community participation?

When a school exhibits these seven characteristics of an effective school, you can have confidence that your child will enjoy a rich and challenging educational experience. All the public schools in Howard County welcome visitors. Principals and teachers are genuinely eager to acquaint you with our facilities and our instructional program.