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Howard County, Maryland

TEACHER APPLICATION PROCEDURES • EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • CAREER POTENTIAL

Public School System

HowardCounty

Our MissionWe cultivate a vibrant learning community that prepares students to thrive in a dynamic world.

Our Vision Every student is inspired to learn and empowered to excel. Goal 1: Students Every student achieves academic excellence in an inspiring, engaging, and supportive environment.

Goal 2: Staff Every staff member is engaged, supported, and successful.

Goal 3: Families and the Community Families and the community are engaged and supported as partners in education.

Goal 4: Organization Schools are supported by world-class organizational practices.

Dear Teacher,

Welcome to the learning community we call the Howard County Public School System. You may wonder why we are welcoming you home. It’s our way to convey that the HCPSS is more than a place to work, it is a place to belong.

We are an organization that values each individual employee and fosters a culture of support and collegiality. As a result, each staff member — from the custodian and cafeteria worker to the curriculum coordinator and classroom teacher — shares in the school system’s proud tradition of excellence in teaching and learning.

The HCPSS is a place where skills are appreciated and aspirations are encouraged. We view the personal and professional growth of all employees as the foundation of our success.

I encourage you to join our family and make the Howard County Public School System your professional home. Sincerely,

Renee A. Foose, Ed.D.Superintendent Howard County Public School System

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APPLICATION PROCEDURESThe hiring for all of the public schools in Howard County is a centralized process coordinated by the Office of Human Resources. The teacher employment application can be found at www.hcpss.org/employment. An application submitted to Human Resources provides an opportunity for consideration for teaching vacancies throughout the county.

Follow upYou will receive an acknowledgement upon receipt of your application. After the interview process, you may be contacted for current or future vacancies. Applicants must provide updated professional references to keep their applications active.

Supporting DocumentsThe following documents are required and should be attached to your electronic application: all college transcripts, a resume, and certification information (Praxis/N.T.E. results, if applicable). If you are currently enrolled in classes, please attach your current transcript, then send any update upon completion of your coursework or graduation.

CertificationIf you have questions about your certification status, we encourage you to seek information about Maryland certification from the Maryland State Department of Education early in the application process. Please provide us with copies of relevant correspondence. We will be happy to assist you, but the State Department of Education is the certifying agency for all public schools in Maryland. You may contact the Maryland State Department of Education at 410-767-0412 or at www.marylandpublicschools.org.

For additional information regarding the employment process, please go towww.hcpss.org/employment/.

Applications may be accessed at www.hcpss.org/employment. You may contact our offices at:

Office of Human ResourcesHoward County Public School System10910 Clarksville Pike Ellicott City, MD 21042

410-313-6693

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Note for teachers employed with other public school systems in Maryland:

The provisions of the Regular contract (COMAR 13A.07.02.01B of the State Board of Education) require that a certificated employee who wishes to vacate his or her position must give notice no later than July 15 (May 1, if the teacher is nontenured). Howard County will honor this state contract and after these respective dates of the current year will not consider for employment those applicants who are under contract in other Maryland public school systems.

HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND... Not Just Another Pretty Place

There’s more to Howard County, Maryland than beautiful scenery. For years, county officials have promoted the area as “Not Just Another Pretty Place,” and we couldn’t have said it better.

Howard County, Maryland is a community of over 310,000 people located midway along the Baltimore and Washington D.C. corridor. It is a county of contrasts — a blend of old and new, urban and rural, historical and progressive. The county’s borders encompass Ellicott City, one of the country’s oldest towns, and Columbia, a planned community conceived and designed 50 years ago by legendary planner James Rouse.

Howard County is an hour drive from the Chesapeake Bay, three hours from the Atlantic Ocean, and three hours from the mountains. The cultural advantages of 25 colleges and universities, museums, galleries, theatres, professional sports teams, recreational sports, fine restaurants, and historical sites are available in Baltimore, Washington, and Columbia.

A wide variety of housing, from apartments and condominiums to single family homes, is available.

In 2016, Columbia, Maryland ranked #1 on Money magazine’s Best Places to Live in America list.

In 2014, Columbia/Ellicott City ranked sixth on the same list. The “diverse and outstanding school district” was just one of many reasons cited.

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EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNINGThe Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) maintains a reputation of excellence that is locally prized and nationally recognized. Graduating seniors consistently outperform the state and nation on the SAT and ACT.

Our Schools

The HCPSS has 76 schools that serve nearly 55,000 students.

• 41 elementary schools (K–5)

• 20 middle schools (6–8)

• 12 high schools (9–12)

• 3 education centers

All schools are air-conditioned, carpeted, and contain the latest in modern instructional technology.

Our Students• Nearly 93% of Howard

County graduates continue their education beyond high school, with 69% attending four-year colleges or universities. (2015)

• Percentage of students who participate in a wide variety of Gifted and Talented Education Program offerings:

Elementary 50%Middle 55%High 65%

Average SAT Composite Scorefor HCPSS, Maryland and the Nation

Region SY 2016 SY 2015 SY 2014

HCPSS 1647 1656 1657

Maryland Public Schools 1428 1434 1438

U.S. Public Schools 1453 1462 1471

Average ACT Composite Scorefor HCPSS, Maryland and the Nation

Region SY 2016 SY 2015 SY 2014

HCPSS 24.6 24.6 24.6

Maryland 23.0 22.7 22.6

Nation 20.8 21.0 21.0

TEACHER SUPPORT Beginning teachers who receive regular support in their first years of teaching from a carefully selected, well-trained mentor often attribute their perseverance and increased efficacy to that support.

- New Teacher Center, 2011.

As a school system, we believe that a strong contributing factor to the success of a new teacher is having support aligned with the new teacher’s needs. The HCPSS Comprehensive Teacher Induction Program is standards-based and includes support for all non-tenured teachers. The goals of the HCPSS Comprehensive Teacher Induction Program are to increase new teacher performance and retention rates, and establish professional norms of collaboration, ongoing learning, and accountability. We believe that the welcome, support, and development provided to new teachers improves instruction and accelerates learning for all students.

New Teacher OrientationPrior to the start of each school year, the Howard County Public School System provides an orientation for new instructional staff. New staff members are introduced to the system mission, goals, and initiatives. They also attend curriculum content sessions led by curriculum staff and master teachers, as well as sessions focused on current systemic areas of focus. During New Teacher Orientation week, employees have opportunities to form relationships with colleagues and create instructional materials in our Teacher Support Center.

Howard County employs 4,305 teachers

• 72% hold master’s degrees or above

• Average years of experience: 13.3

Our Classroom Teachers

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Teacher Development Liaisons Every school in Howard County has an identified teacher leader known as the Teacher Development Liaison. The role of this master teacher is to provide all non-tenured staff with ongoing, school-based professional learning opportunities and support aligned with best practices for instruction, the HCPSS Teacher Evaluation Process, and the 2013 Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching. Teacher Development Liaisons begin the year by welcoming new teachers into their schools with a building tour and networking opportunities during New Teacher Orientation week.

Instructional Mentoring SupportsAnother facet of our Comprehensive Teacher Induction Program is Instructional Mentoring, which focuses on support for beginning teachers with no prior teaching experience. Beginning teachers receive support throughout their first year from central office program or school-based staff, which includes non-evaluative observations and focuses specifically on the identified needs of the new teacher. This focus on instruction leads to effective teaching, resulting in improved student learning. Instructional Mentoring serves as one vehicle for applying the 2013 Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching and the Vision 2018 HCPSS Strategic Plan to classroom practice.

Ongoing Professional Learning OpportunitiesEach semester, professional learning experiences and courses, targeting non-tenured teachers, are offered centrally through the Continuing Professional Development Program. Session content is determined by research in best practices in teacher induction. Newly hired staff have the opportunity to attend seminars focused on the 2013 Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching to enhance their knowledge and application of the Framework to their practice. Additionally, new staff are provided with a variety of supports including new teacher seminars and sessions, feedback through informal and non-evaluative observations, support for lesson/unit planning and instructional delivery, student data analysis, reflective practice, and technology integration.

Commitment to Excellence with EquityHCPSS is committed to achieving Excellence with Equity for all students. The process to attain this goal is through Cultural Proficiency. Supporting our educators towards culturally competent practices is offered through formal multi-day seminars, CPD classes, site-based professional learning communities, or a Master’s Certification from McDaniel College. These experiences are designed towards transformational learning and helping participants surface their assumptions, values, and beliefs, that could cause unconscious bias in the classroom, or unhealthy practices in the schools. Dialogue, reflection, and examination of practices are core to the Awareness seminars. Educators committed to this work can continue with Level Two – Application and Level Three – Facilitation seminars.

The Howard County Public School System recognizes excellent teachers and other staff through the Howard County Teacher of the Year and other awards.

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Defense honored HCPSS for its support of employees serving in the Maryland Guard and Reserve. The school system was recognized for its support of active duty members through policies that provide flexibility for military leave, lost wages, and personal benefit continuation.

BENEFITSTeachers employed by the Howard County Public School System receive salaries competitive with those of surrounding areas. Post-baccalaureate studies are encouraged through generous financial reimbursement of graduate and undergraduate credits.

In addition, all employees receive sick and personal leave, life insurance, a pension plan and a flexible health benefits package. This includes options for medical, dental, vision, prescription drug and child care plans. The Howard County Education Federal Credit Union is available to all employees.

Health and Medical BenefitsThe cost of a comprehensive health insurance plan is an important consideration for a new teacher. HCPSS is committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of all employees and their families. Teachers/employees can select a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). One of the most important features of these programs is the cost to the employee/teacher. The teacher’s premium cost is currently no more than 15 percent of the cost of the health plan selected. Employer health insurance contributions are not taxed. In addition, teachers can select from other benefit options such as dental, vision, group life insurance/accidental death and dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability, among others. HCPSS also provides $750 to employees who do not participate in a medical plan. The $750 may be used to purchase other benefits offered to employees through HCPSS or be taken in the form of cash throughout the year over 20 paychecks.

Employees’ Child Development ProgramThe Public School Employees’ Child Development Program (CDP) of Howard County is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides a full-day child care program for children ages two through five. The child care programs follow the school calendar and are housed at various schools throughout the county. Tuition is affordable and very competitive with comparably accredited child care programs. The program includes two well-balanced snacks and lunch each day.

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Tuition Reimbursement ProgramThe HCPSS provides teachers and other staff with an excellent course reimbursement program. This program allows teachers to obtain advanced degrees and improve their teaching skills, thereby elevating the quality of education to greater levels for Howard County students, our future workforce. In addition to individual course reimbursement, HCPSS has partnered with several local colleges/universities to provide a variety of higher education opportunities offered in a cohort format.

As a result of this support, over 70 percent of our teaching staff holds advanced degrees in their chosen field. As new teachers look ahead to a career in public education, the cost of obtaining advanced degrees and keeping pace with state certification is critical. The HCPSS recommends that applicants carefully consider this important benefit when selecting a teaching position.

The HCPSS guarantees that each teacher will receive course reimbursement as outlined below:

• 45 graduate credits up to $300 per credit hour up to an annual limit of 12 credits. A master’s degree is typically 30–36 credits. There is no annual limit for credits taken through an HCPSS- sponsored cohort program.

• 24 undergraduate credits up to $155 per credit hour. This also includes reimbursement for Continuing Professional Development classes.

• The HCPSS provides an additional $2,000 a year to teachers who have successfully completed the National Board of Professional Teacher Certification Program. With the state of Maryland’s contribution of $1,000, HCPSS teachers with National Board Certification may earn an additional $3,000 a year in salary.

• Speech-Language pathologists who hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) will receive an annual supplement of $3,000.

Staff Discount Program Contact: Partnerships Office 410-313-6817

The Staff Discount Program is a benefit provided by local businesses to recognize the commitment and dedication of HCPSS employees by offering discounts or other special incentives for their products or services. The HCPSS does not negotiate, guarantee, or endorse the participating vendors and/or prices. All offers and purchases are for personal use of the employee, and obligation of payment is the sole responsibility of the employee. All transactions are strictly between the employee and the vendor. Employees must pay all applicable taxes.

HCPSS was ranked the top public school district in Maryland for 2016, by Niche.com, an education and community analysis firm. Niche.com scored school districts based on factors that included state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, student and parent reviews, expert insights and other parameters.

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2016 Hiring Statistics

Curriculum/Field Hired

Alternative Education 0

Art Education 5

Business and Computer Science 5

Career Academy 0

Early Childhood Education 7

Elementary Education 59

English 11

ESOL 8 Family and Consumer Science 2

Gifted Education 2

Guidance 4

Health Education 3

Mathematics 12

Media 7

Music 17

Occupational/Physical Therapy 1

Physical Education 7

Psychologist 3

Pupil Personnel Worker 0

Reading Teacher/Specialist 9

Resource Teacher 11

ROTC 0

Science 15

Social Studies 11

Special Education 29

Speech Pathology 8

Technology Education 7

Vision 0

World Language 14

Total 257

Teacher Salary Schedule:

2016–17 School YearStep A B C D E

1 47,588 49,295 51,003 52,710 54,417

2 47,802 49,509 51,216 52,923 54,630

3 48,015 49,936 51,643 53,350 55,057

4 48,228 50,362 52,070 53,777 55,484

5 50,149 52,496 54,204 55,911 57,618

6 52,070 54,630 56,338 58,045 59,752

7 53,990 56,764 58,472 60,179 61,886

8 55,911 58,898 60,606 62,313 64,020

9 57,831 61,032 62,740 64,447 66,154

10 59,752 63,166 64,874 66,581 68,288

11 61,673 65,300 67,008 68,715 70,422

12 63,593 67,434 69,142 70,849 72,556

13 64,554 69,568 71,276 72,983 74,690

14 71,702 73,410 75,117 76,824

15 73,836 75,544 77,251 78,958

16 75,970 77,678 79,385 81,092

17 78,104 79,812 81,519 83,226

18* 80,238 81,946 83,653 85,360

19 82,372 84,080 85,787 87,494

20 84,506 86,214 87,921 89,628

21 86,640 88,348 90,055 91,762

22 88,774 90,482 92,189 93,896

23 90,908 92,616 94,323 96,030

24 93,042 94,750 96,457 98,164

25 95,176 96,884 98,591 100,298

26 97,310 99,018 100,725 102,432

*Step 18 is the maximum entry step for experienced teachers.

A Bachelor’s DegreeB Bachelor’s + 30 credit hoursC Master’s DegreeD Master’s Degree + 30 graduate credit hoursE Earned Doctorate

Howard CountyBaltimore CityWashington, D.C.

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108● Elementary Schools▲ Middle Schools■ High Schools★ Dept. of Education Offices✚ Special Schools

Howard County, Maryland

10910 Clarksville Pike Ellicott City, Maryland 21042 Switchboard 410-313-6600

www.hcpss.org

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The Howard County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and 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: Manager of Equity Assurance, Howard County Public School System, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042, 410-313-6654 (phone), 410-313-1645 (fax). For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.

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