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Non-Discrimination and Inclusivity

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) recognizes that the quality and character of school life powerfully affects student motivation to learn. This understanding is in line with a growing body of research—and legislation—that supports the importance of a safe and nurturing school climate to promoting student academic achievement and healthy youth development.

HCPSS Non-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity Employment

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, immigration status, religion, physical, mental, or educational disability, pregnancy, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or socioeconomic status in its educational programs; including co-curricular and extracurricular activities, in the workplace or in hiring practices. HCPSS provides equal access to the Boy/Girl Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Larry Carr, EEO Compliance and Investigations Officer
Howard County Public School System
10910 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042

410-313-6654 (phone)
TitleIXCoordinator@hcpss.org

Formally file an electronic complaint

Excited Long Reach High School staff at their 2017 Kickoff.

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1–800–421–3481.

In accordance with the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Section 26-704, it is the policy of the State of Maryland that all public and publicly funded schools and school programs operate in compliance with:

  1. Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964; and
  2. Title 26, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article of the Maryland Code, which states that public and publicly funded schools and programs may not:
    • Discriminate against a current student, a prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or disability;
    • Refuse enrollment of a prospective student, expel a current student, or withhold privileges from a current student, a prospective student, or the parent or guardian of a current or prospective student because of an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability; or
    • Disciplined, invoke a penalty against, or take any other retaliatory action against a student or parent or guardian of a student who files a complaint alleging that the program or school discriminated against the student, regardless of the outcome of the complaint.

ADA Accommodations

Workplace accommodations refer to an adjustment to a job or work environment that makes it possible for an individual with a disability to perform their job duties. Accommodations may include specialized equipment, modifications to the work environment or adjustments to work schedules or responsibilities. Not all people with disabilities (or even all people with the same disability) need the same accommodation.

The Office of Employee and Labor Relations reviews requests for workplace accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADAA). The Office of Employee and Labor Relations also reviews and engages with staff members on religious accommodations and temporary work restrictions.

Contact the ADA Coordinator, Tamathia Flowers, at ada_coordinator@hcpss.org.

For more information on accommodations, please visit ADA Accommodations | Staff Help (hcpss.org).

To apply for a medical workplace accommodation or work restriction, please submit a request. To facilitate a timely review of your request, you are encouraged to complete the following forms:

To apply for a religious accommodation, please submit a request for a Staff Religious Accommodation.

Title IX

HCPSS is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is free from sexual discrimination. HCPSS prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its educational programs, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and in the workplace as required by law. HCPSS provides training materials and mechanisms for students and employees to report sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct.

Special Education

The Howard County Public School System acknowledges and supports the rights of all students to receive a free appropriate public education that will enable them to develop their unique talents and abilities, thus preparing them to participate in and serve their community with dignity and pride. We offer a continuum of services, supports, and programs to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Section 504

Section 504 is a federal law that protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. The Act prohibits any organization that receives federal funds from discriminating against otherwise qualified individuals because of a disability. School programs and activities are subject to this law.

The Howard County Public School System is committed to ensuring that no qualified student with a disability will be discriminated or retaliated against and/or denied an educational benefit or opportunity on the basis of a disability. For more information, visit our Section 504 webpage.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires schools to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in services, programs and activities.

Web Accessibility

Web accessibility ensures access to the web for everyone regardless of disability (visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive) and our site allows access of district-wide information regardless of hardware, software, device, or manner of site navigation.

For further information on accessibility and HCPSS compliance under Section 504 and Title II, visit the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights website.

If you come across a section, page, video or document on this site that you believe should be reviewed for its accessibility, please submit more information via the online form – Accessibility Feedback Form for Content on www.hcpss.org or by emailing the Webmaster.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

A diverse group of elementary school students locking arms together and standing in front of an HCPSS school.

HCPSS is committed to creating a welcoming and positive school culture as well as an inclusive environment for all students and ensuring that all backgrounds and interests equally represent the voice of the student body. Students have the opportunity to share their experiences both inside and outside of school and to contribute to programs that promote positive behavior in their school community and foster respect for all cultures and diversity throughout the system.