Special Education

From our PTA representative for Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)

Shen (Shirley) Zhao (SECAC@clespta.org)

Upcoming SECAC Meetings and Events

  • The INS and OUTS of Middle School for Parents

    Learn about middle school academics and social opportunities. Presented

    by HCPSS Department of Special Education staff.

    The virtual presentation will be one hour. Select one from

    Jan 13, 2026 at 10am

    Jan 15, 2026 at Noon

    Jan 15, 2026 at 7pm

    Register using link: https://forms.gle/oRs6vgEUNcqV6Q278

    For further information, please contact Family Support & Resource Center

    at FSRC@hcpss.org

  • Upcoming SECAC Meetings

    Virtual or Patuxent Valley Middle School

    secacchair@gmail.com

Updates

●      Special Education Strategic Plan

At the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2025, Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Department of Special Education (DSE) shared the new strategic plan that will guide the department through 2030.

The strategic plan, which is available online, is guided by the collective belief that every student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) deserves an ambitious and attainable learning journey designed just for them, filled with the necessary supports and resources to thrive. 

While the plan will continue to evolve throughout its duration in response to changing needs, the year one priorities are the first step to completing the redesign of special education in HCPSS.

●      Ace’s Law

Maryland House Bill 1204, also known as Ace’s Law, aims to address student elopement in schools. Effective since July 1, 2025, this bill requires schools to tell a parent or guardian the same day a child wanders or elopes, leaving the classroom or campus without permission. It also requires that wandering and elopement be addressed in the IEP, which is the Individualized Education Program for students with disabilities if they exhibit wandering and elopement behavior.

The law is named after Ace, a 3-year-old boy with autism who drowned after wandering from home.

Important Links