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Redistricting Forum Actions
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HCPSS will be redistricting schools for the 2020-2021 School Year

The Education Action Team would like to see redistricting address both overcrowding and socioeconomic/racial segregation in Howard County public schools.

Superintendent Martirano's announced his Boundary Review plan for redistricting on Thursday, August 22,2019. He called it Equity in Action.  He was focused on equity, but did he go far enough?  You can view the one hour presentation: https://hcpsstv.new.swagit.com/videos/31017 or read about it superintendent-presents-recommendations

Remaining Redistricting Timeline

Board of Education Public Hearings at 7pm        Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City

Attend a BOE Public Work Session (no testifying, just listening to process)

Actions You Can Take

Attend the Education Action Team’s Equity in Redistricting forum 

on September 4, Wednesday 6:30-8:00 at the Miller Library Branch. Please RSVP here

The Education Action Team will sponsor the Equity in Redistricting Forum to discuss how HCPSS school redistricting can address both  overcrowding and socioeconomic/racial segregation. Over the past 15 years, Howard County school districts have become the most segregated in Maryland.  Jacky McCoy, co-founder of Changing the Lens will discuss the importance of equity in our schools and our community. Next, Dr. Richard Kohn, a professor, parent and Howard County resident, will present a mathematical model based on county data that demonstrates there are several ways to redraw school boundaries to reduce overcrowding and reduce income and racial segregation.

Testify in Person before the Board of Education

Community members will need to call the Board Office at 410-313-7346, 1584 or 7194, or appear in person at the Board Office (10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, M-F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) to pre-register to speak. Note, registration to speak will not be permitted at the meetings.

Provide Written Testimony to the Board of Education

Community members unable to attend a public hearing may provide written testimony. Equal consideration is given to written and oral testimony. Individuals may submit written testimony via USPS mail (Board of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042) or email to redistricting@hcpss.org only. All Board members have access to this account and will read all testimony submitted.

Testimony should not be sent to individual Board members or BOE@hcpss.org.

Residents are reminded that written testimony, including identifying information, is considered public information and, as such, is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.

Written testimony will not be edited before posting online—no personal information will be removed. It is highly recommended that testimony sent via email be submitted as an attachment. All written testimony should include your full name(s) and polygon number. Written testimony will be received until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2019.

Talking Points

Academic benefits of desegregated schools: On average, students in socioeconomically and racially diverse schools—regardless of a student’s own economic status—have stronger academic outcomes and higher average test scores than students in schools with concentrated poverty.

Students are less likely to drop out and are more likely to enroll in college, Integrated schools encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity and help to reduce racial achievement gaps

Civic/Social benefits: Attending a diverse school can help reduce racial bias and counter stereotypes. When school settings include students from multiple racial groups, students become more comfortable with people of other races, which leads to a dramatic decrease in discriminatory attitudes and prejudices. Integrated classrooms can improve students’ satisfaction and intellectual self-confidence. Learning in integrated settings can enhance students’ leadership skills.

Economic Benefits: Attending an integrated school can be a more effective academic intervention than receiving extra funding in a higher-poverty school. School integration promotes more equitable access to resources. Integrating schools gives more equitable access to well-maintained facilities, highly qualified teachers, challenging courses, and private funding. There is a high return on the investment on the community. When children who attend integrated schools have higher earnings as adults, improved health, and are less likely to be incarcerated, it benefits our ENTIRE society