Academic Advisory Committees
Academic Advisory Committees offer opportunities for involvement and are comprised of parents, community members, students and staff with a desire to work collaboratively to improve education in Howard County.
Career Academies Advisory Committees
Each of the Career Academies offered by the HCPSS has an advisory committee composed of representatives from the school system, students, local businesses and industry, and the community at large. The role of Career Academies advisory committees is to review curriculum, discuss any industry trends and technology that should be included in curriculum, and offer suggestions and support for additional opportunities such as field trips, scholarships, competitions, guest speaking, etc.
The career areas currently include: Arts, Media, and Communication; Business, Management and Finance; Construction and Development; Consumer Services, Hospitality, and Tourism; Health and Biosciences; Human Resource Services; Information Technology; Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology; Transportation Technologies; Environmental, Agriculture, and Natural Resources; and Career Research and Development.
Most advisory committees meet at least twice annually and new members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining one of the advisory committees or would like additional information, contact the Office of Career and Technology Education.
Contact and Membership Information
- Office of Career and Technology Education – 410-313-6629
Elementary Curricular Advisory Committee (ECAC)
Purpose
- Establish and maintain positive partnerships among families, community, and HCPSS with focus on the Elementary Programs and initiatives.
- Establish two-way communication among families, community, and HCPSS related to the Elementary Programs and initiatives.
- Advise the Elementary Office by recommending ways to help provide continuous improvement as reflected by achievement and performance data to ensure that all students are on or above grade level in reading and mathematics.
Contact and Membership Information
- Office of Elementary Curricular Programs – 410-313-1538
Fine Arts Advisory Council
The purpose of the Fine Arts Advisory Council is to support and advocate for the dance, music, theatre and visual arts programs in Howard County Public Schools. The Fine Arts Advisory Council will serve as a forum for providing shared ideas and concerns for providing outstanding fine arts programs for the students of HCPSS.
In addition to bi-monthly meetings, the Fine Arts Advisory Committee hosts three annual HCPSS Fine Arts Events:
- Fine Arts College Night in October – This event provides information for students and families on the process of applying to a college as a dance, music, theatre or visual arts major. Panel presentations in each of the art forms provide information on preparing portfolios/auditions, financial aide, maximizing your performance potential, college fine arts majors, and careers.
- High School Fine Arts Night in November – This event provides information for elementary and middle school students and families about the kinds of Fine Arts offerings available in HCPSS, and how to maximize your high school experience to include fine arts offerings.
- Theatre Workshop in May – This event provides elementary and middle school students a sampling of the kinds of activities that happen in a high school theatre program. The culmination of the day results in a mini-performance for families.
Contact and Membership Information
The Gifted and Talented Education Program Advisory Committee
Mission
The mission of the Gifted and Talented Education Program Advisory Committee is to ensure that gifted education services and programs serve to recognize and develop talent in advanced-level learners.
Committee Purpose
The purpose of this committee is:
- To establish and maintain a system of communication between the Howard County community and the staff of the Gifted and Talented Education Program.
- To establish and maintain a community of advocates for gifted education who view gifted education services as indispensable.
- To collect, and report information/data from the Howard County community regarding the needs of advanced-level learners to gifted education program staff.
- To provide advice and counsel in partnership with school system staff for continuous improvement of the Gifted and Talented Education Program.
Contact and Membership Information:
Gifted and Talented Education Program – 410-313-6800
Howard County Early Childhood Advisory Council
The Howard County Advisory Council supports the care, education and health of our youngest learners. The Council’s mission is to ensure that all Howard County children come to school healthy and ready to succeed. The Council’s goals are to ensure that:
- All children have access to high quality early learning and development programs;
- Families have access to resources needed to be effective as their child’s first teacher;
- Children arrive at school with healthy minds and bodies.
Contact and Membership Information:
Office of Early Childhood Programs – 410-313-5659
Instructional Technology and Library Media Advisory Board
Mission
The Instructional Technology and Library Media Advisory Board consists of Technology Teachers, Library Media Specialists, parents, and other interested community members who meet to advise, support, and advocate for the continuous improvement of the HCPSS Instructional Technology and Library Media programs in order to ensure that all Howard County students are college and career-ready.
Purpose
- help establish short and long range goals for services, resources, and technology integration
- help maintain a current collection policy/collection development plan
- support special instructional technology library media program activities and celebrations
- advocate for the instructional technology and library media program, encouraging community support and funding
Contact:
Office of Instructional Technology and Library Media – 410-313-7141
Mathematics Advisory Committee (MAC)
The mission of the Mathematics Advisory Committee is to give support, lend its collective insights and advice to, and advocate for the HCPSS mathematics program. The Mathematics Advisory Committee will serve as a forum for sharing ideas, information and concerns, and suggesting initiatives for the continuous improvement and academic excellence of the HCPSS mathematics program.
Purpose
The purpose of this committee is:
- Support equitable access to high quality mathematics teaching and learning for all students and families;
- Serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas related to the continued improvement of the HCPSS mathematics instructional program;
- Provide public support and general advocacy for the mathematics instructional program within the school system and to the general public;
- Study issues related to the mathematics instructional program needs and services;
- Assist in the review and development of proposed new or revised instructional materials, programs and/or offerings;
- Assist with program alignment for the successful matriculation to the workforce and post-secondary education;
- Advocate for appropriate budget allocation to elementary and secondary mathematics programs;
- Provide advocacy for and assistance with HCPSS enrichment opportunities and/or extracurricular mathematics related programs; and
- Support efforts to retain HCPSS mathematics teachers and teacher leaders, and recruit the most well-prepared mathematics teacher candidates who reflect the diversity of the HCPSS’s student population.
Meeting Schedule
- September 28, 2023, 3:30-5:00 pm
- December 7, 2023, 3:30-5:00 pm
- January 25, 2025, 3:30-5:00 pm
- April 18, 2024, 3:30-5:00 pm
- June 6, 2024, 3:30-5:00 pm
Contact and Membership Information
- Interested in serving on the HCPSS Mathematics Advisory Committee? Fill out an interest form.
- HCPSS Mathematics Advisory Committee Framework
- Office of Elementary Mathematics and Office of Secondary Mathematics – 410-313-6615
- HCPSS Family Mathematics Support Center
School Health Council
The School Health Council serves as an advisory to the Superintendent of Howard County Public Schools and the Health Officer of the Howard County Health Department on coordinated school health programs to include a healthful school environment, health and safety instruction, and school health services.
The School Health Council is mandated by Maryland State Education Regulations. Its members are drawn from a broad segment of the community, including health, business, clergy, voluntary organizations, social services, parents as well as members from the School System and the Health Department.
Purpose
- Provide leadership and support to relevant school health programs.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of new coordinated school health programs.
- Recognize, respect, and include the policies and objectives of various disciplines, groups, and agencies concerned with school health and work toward the coordination of their efforts.
Contact and Membership Information
- Office of Health and Physical Education – 410-313-6752
- Office of Health Services – 410-313-6637
Science Advisory Committee (SAC)
Mission
The mission of the HCPSS Science Advisory Committee is to advise and support the school system for the continuous improvement of the science educational program. Members include Howard County science and engineering professionals with an interest in science education.
Purpose
The purpose of this committee is to:
- Serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas and concerns related to the continued enhancement of the HCPSS science instructional program.
- Provide public support and advocacy for the science program.
- Provide professional expertise for the ongoing development and evaluation of the HCPSS science instructional program.
- Explore with staff ways to identify and utilize available community resources to enrich science experiences for all students.
- Provide guidance and assistance for HCPSS extracurricular science-related programs such as the MESA competition, Science Olympiad, and the Our Environment in Our Hands environmental education program
- Support enrichment opportunities for HCPSS students in science.
Contact and Membership Information
- Office of Secondary Science – 410-313-6615
- Office of Elementary Science – 410-313-6811
Secondary Language Arts Advisory Committee
This committee consists of Secondary Language Arts teachers, administrators, students, parents, and other interested community members who meet to advise, support, and advocate for the continuous improvement of educational programs in order to ensure that all Howard County students are college and career-ready.
Contact and Membership Information
- Office of Secondary Language Arts Office – 410-313-6620
Social Studies Advisory Committee
The mission of the Social Studies Advisory Committee is to offer staff advice from multiple perspectives on social studies decisions and future directions aligned with the Bridge to Excellence Master Plan. Committee members will review curriculum and new textbooks, participate in long-range planning and goal setting, provide support for the social studies budget, and receive updates on professional development and student programs.
The Social Studies Advisory Committee meets three times during the school year.
Purpose
- Serve as a community sounding board for issues related to Social Studies education in Howard County.
- Serve as an advisory group for the adoption of new Social Studies textbooks and curricula.
- Advocate for the Social Studies program in a wide range of arenas, both public and private.
Contact and Membership Information
- Office of Secondary Social Studies – 410-313-6639
- Office of Elementary Social Studies – 410-313-5678
Special Education Community Advisory Committee (SECAC)
SECAC and HCPSS encourage and welcome parent involvement in every phase of a child’s educational journey. In the area of special education, parent involvement is crucial.
SECAC is dedicated to educating parents, educators and the community in matters unique to the needs of children and young adults with disabilities. By identifying unmet needs of students, parents, and the many professionals who work with them, the committee advocates for constructive change and the supports that are necessary to provide quality educational opportunities for all students. SECAC is committed to the principle that all students can learn and that they will contribute something unique and invaluable to our community. To that end, SECAC seeks to create acceptance and respect for persons with special needs within our schools and society. SECAC strives to work in a mutually respectful and collaborative manner with educators because it recognizes the vital importance of the home-school relationship for successful outcomes.
Contact and Membership Information
- Department of Special Education – 410-313-6659
World Language Advisory Committee (WLAC)
The mission of the World Language Advisory Committee is to advise, support and advocate for the continuous improvement of world language educational programs. Their efforts will ensure that all students meet established performance standards and that the partnership between the Office of World Languages and the community grows stronger.
Purpose
- Become knowledgeable in the goals, methods, and materials of world language acquisition instruction in the HCPSS.
- Give input and advice to assist in the development of world language programs and resources at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
- Provide public support and advocacy for world language programs and initiatives in a variety of forums.
- Explore with staff ways to identify and utilize available community resources to enrich world language acquisition experiences for all students.
Contact and Membership Information
- World Languages – 410-313-7485