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Building the Special Education Strategic Plan

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The Department of Special Education (DSE) believes every student with an Individual Education Program (IEP) or Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) deserves an ambitious and attainable learning journey designed just for them, filled with the necessary support and resources to thrive. This belief drives our focus in DSE to work across the school system and greater community to build a neurodiverse affirming culture where everyone is included, supported, safe, and empowered from the start. We are actively building strong, proactive systems that maximize resources to ensure every child and youth (from birth to 21) with an IFSP/IEP has what they need to learn, grow, and succeed. When students with disabilities succeed, our whole community and our future workforce is enriched. We are committed to strong family partnerships and engaging in continuous improvement to provide high-quality special education services grounded in evidence- and research-based practices.

With that in mind, the Department of Special Education humbly presents the first full iteration of our strategic plan. We are incredibly grateful to those who shared their experiences, asked critical questions and provided feedback. As a result, we have a deeper understanding of concerns and needs and believe that this plan reflects the first, high-leverage steps for focused improvement efforts. While there are many additional items that require our attention, this starting place will build a strong foundation for the work to come. A mulit-disciplinary implementation team has been established and will meet on a regular basis to monitor progress and make data-informed changes as needed. Updates will be shared with the public on a quarterly basis through a DSE Strategic Plan dashboard, currently under construction. We look forward to continuing to build connection, capacity and confidence through collaborative efforts that support accountability and action.

We thank the following stakeholders:

  • The Superintendent’s Advisory on Special Education including representation from the following groups:
    • The Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)
    • The Council of Elders (TCOE)
    • The Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM)
    • The Parent-Teacher Association Council of Howard County (PTAC)
    • The Howard County Education Association (HCEA)
    • The Howard County Association of Supervisors and Administrators (HCASA)
    • HCPSS Students
    • Community Members at Large
  • Cabinet Level Leaders in HCPSS
  • Members of the Board of Education
  • Department of Special Education Leadership Team and central office staff
  • Staff and Leaders from the Division of Schools and the Division of Academics

The following plan reflects the consolidation of input from a wide range of stakeholders, reports, formal and informal data, and workgroups, including the external special education audit findings and recommendations. In addition to the HCPSS Strategic Plan, the following were taken into consideration: