We have a persistent Achievement Gap in Howard County despite having one of the best school systems in the country.
There are large numbers of students who are being overlooked, and as a County, we cannot neglect the needs of vulnerable families who do not benefit from the same economic advantages that our county’s wealthier families do.
Photo taken Aug. 25, 2014 during first day of
school visit to Long Reach High School.
(Picture in no way indicates HCPSS support
for any political candidate.)
As County Executive, I will do everything I can to close the Gap by working with Superintendent Foose, the Board of Education, the Howard County Education Association, and parents.
However, we can no longer look just within our schools for answers. It will take our entire community to work, plan, and invest together before the Gap will close.
As County Executive, I will be committed to using the resources of our entire community to ensure all Howard County students succeed in our public schools, regardless of their status or station in life.
Photo taken Aug. 25, 2014 during first day of school
visit to Murray Hill Middle School.
(Picture in no way indicates HCPSS support for
any political candidate.)
Academic achievement takes shape 24 hours a day. Children learn best when they live in stable households.
Education outcomes are at risk when children do not have access to nutritious meals, engaged caregivers, and conflict-free home environments.
My administration will work with our county government to address each family’s unique needs by creating access to quality health care; mental health, substance abuse, and family counseling; diverse housing options; recreational activities; and proper nutrition regardless of where they live.
AS COUNTY EXECUTIVE I WILL:
- Not cut school funding.
- Work with Annapolis to fund construction of our 13th high school, improve enrollment projections, and resolve overcrowding by reevaluating the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO).
- Ensure every eligible low-income family is receiving all vital social services to which they are entitled.
- Strengthen family engagement in education by expanding partnerships with local family support centers.
- Create a birth-to-five countywide initiative that prepares vulnerable families and children for kindergarten ensuring all children start off on a level playing field.
- Improve information sharing between schools and the county’s human services agencies to better identify families struggling with financial hardship and who need access to comprehensive emotional, behavioral and substance abuse treatment services.
- Invest in cultural-specific learning programs that bring together arts, bilingualism, multiculturalism.
- Streamline existing after-school programs so that our county agencies can work jointly to meet the needs of at-risk youth in the most appropriate setting.
Photo taken Aug. 25, 2014 during first day of school
visit to Ducketts Lane Elementary School. (Picture
in no way indicates HCPSS support for
any political candidate)
The post Kittleman: It’s About Our Children and their Education, and It Starts with the Family appeared first on Allan Kittleman for Howard County Executive.