Digital Education Center
Jump to: Overview | Design and Planning | Enrollment | FAQs | Timeline | Comparison Chart | Requested Budget
The Howard County Public School System is planning for a full-time virtual option for students entering grades K-12 who wish to learn virtually for the 2021-2022 school year. Once finalized, the Digital Education Center (DEC) program will give students the opportunity to take classes and earn credits virtually, while receiving support services from both the DEC and their designated home school. DEC students will continue to be “enrolled” in their designated home school and will be able to participate in athletics and activities at that school.
The DEC is intended to function as an additional, separate K-12 center, which will continue to operate even after fully in-person learning resumes at all other HCPSS schools.
Design and Planning
The DEC is currently in the planning and design phase.
The final DEC scope and options are subject to funding, staffing and final Board of Education approval. Digital Education Center courses will meet the same standards as all HCPSS curricula. The primary difference between traditional, in-person courses and the DEC is the delivery of instruction, which will be through a virtual model.
The DEC will be staffed by HCPSS administrators, teachers and support staff.
Enrollment
The Digital Education Center is scheduled to begin in the 2021-2022 school year.
- Any student entering grades K-12 during the 2021-2022 school year will have the opportunity to enroll in the DEC.
- Students must commit to the DEC for the full school year to participate.
- Students who want to return to in-person learning (if it is offered) at a HCPSS school location during the 2021-2022 school year should not sign up for the DEC.
Decisions on the 2021-2022 academic year—in terms of students returning in person, hybrid or virtually—have not yet been determined, and will be communicated as soon as possible.
Digital Education Center Projected Timeline
March 31 – Virtual information sessions for all interested students and families
March 31 – April 14 – Parents/guardians complete an interest survey
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Howard County residents with children who are not currently enrolled in the Howard County Public School System may express interest by completing this DEC Student Interest Google form.
April 8 and 12 – Virtual information sessions for interested staff
April 20-22 – School level-specific virtual information sessions for interested students and families
April/May – Priority enrollment in DEC for the 2021-2022 academic year
May 27 – Board of Education scheduled to approve final budget, which includes funding for the DEC
August 30 – First day of school for the 2021-2022 academic year
DEC/Hybrid/Traditional School Comparison Chart
|
Proposed Digital Education Center (2021-2022) |
Current Hybrid Model (2020-2021) |
Traditional School Program |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Grades |
Kindergarten – 12 |
Prekindergarten – 12 |
Prekindergarten – 12 |
|
Instructional Model |
Virtual Synchronous virtual instruction and digital assignments either during or outside the school day No in-person learning |
Hybrid In-person learning and synchronous virtual instruction during the school day |
Face-to-face In-person instruction during the school day |
|
Location |
Virtual |
Both virtual and HCPSS school building |
HCPSS school building |
|
Instructional Delivery |
HCPSS teachers – virtual teaching |
HCPSS teachers – concurrent teaching |
HCPSS teachers – in-person teaching |
|
Course Availability |
Core Academic Level Courses Limited electives and related arts |
Full HCPSS Course Catalog |
Full HCPSS Course Catalog |
|
Supplemental Programs |
Access to all HCPSS supplemental programs (Beyond School Hours, Digital Education, Evening Program, Summer Program) |
||
|
Cost to Families |
No cost |
||
|
Student Support Services |
Provided virtually by the DEC and the student’s home school |
Provided by the student’s home school |
Provided by the student’s home school |
|
Transportation |
Not applicable |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Meals |
Available for purchase or free/reduced-price at the student’s home school |
Available at no cost to families at any HCPSS school |
Available for purchase or free/reduced-price at the student’s home school |
Digital Education Center Requested Budget
The requested budget is based on 1,250 students.
Actual budget may change based on reallocation of staffing and resources and actual enrollment.
|
Item |
Cost |
|---|---|
|
Addition of 75.0 staff |
$4,067,650 |
|
Additional pension, Social Security, Medicare and Health benefits for positions |
$1,646,332 |
|
Wages, Contracted Services and Supplies |
$515,451 |
|
Total |
$6,229,433 |