2008-09 Annual Report - Harford County Public Schools

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Harford nets top new hires, retains top educators Retaining a highly qualified workforce to educate each of the students in the Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) is among the most important priorities for the school system every year. Leading up to the 2008-2009 school year, the school system hired 197 teachers to replenish the 3,213 person teaching force and hired 154 support staff to fill new positions and positions vacated by retirement or natural attrition. In order to maintain such a quality faculty and staff, HCPS had representation at 41 various job fairs and college/university visits in nine states. Nearly six percent of teachers hired were minority teachers, while approximately 78 percent of new teachers hired were female, down eight percent from last year. Eighty-seven percent of recruits were female at the elementary level, perpetuating the domination of female teachers at the elementary level for HCPS. More than 57 percent of those employed were under 27 years of age, a 15 percent increase from the previous year, and more than 40 percent had at least a master’s degree when they were hired. Recruitment efforts continue to focus in Maryland, but with the highly competitive need for teachers who meet the federal definition of “highly qualified” under the Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, it is necessary for the local effort to extend beyond the borders of its home state. NCLB requires that teachers must be fully certified in the grade level or subject area in which they teach including having a bachelor’s degree, a valid teaching certificate and other specific teaching level requirements. Almost half of the newly hired teachers graduated from non-Maryland colleges and universities. System-wide and school initiatives continue to support new teachers in the local schools. For the 12-month period ending September 30, 2009, 4,029 teacher applications were posted to the HCPS online application system, School Recruiter. According to the HCPS Human Resources Office, the online application process has contributed to a ten percent increase from last year in the number of applications received. 94% Retention Rate More than 91 percent of classes in HCPS are taught by instructors deemed “highly qualified,” increasing about five percent from the previous school year. Joan Ryder 152937 BW 4 BOE | DECEMBER 2009
‘Highly qualified’ rate continues to rise During the past year, 211 teachers, counselors and other specialists left employment with HCPS, more than onethird due to retirement. However, the school system continues to improve its retention rate, increasing to 94 percent for this year. New Teacher Education Characteristics Fulfilling vacancies in “critical areas” of mathematics, special education, family and consumer science, technology education, and certain areas of science continues to be a challenge and remains the primary focus of recruitment for HCPS. Our school system, home to more than 38,000 students, is privileged to employ and maintain one of the most qualified, motivated and successful teaching forces in the country, focusing each day on connecting with every one of its students. 197 Teachers Hired Source: HCPS Human Resources/Communications Office The 2009-10 HCPS Teacher of the Year finalists pose for a photo outside of the Bayou restaurant before the HCPS Teacher of the Year banquet in April 2009. MD Cosmetic 153477 spot DECEMBER 2009 | BOE 5
Page 1 and 2: Harford County Public Schools Annua
Page 3: Board of Education of Harford Count
Page 7 and 8: FY 2010 HCPS Capital Improvement Pr
Page 9 and 10: • October 2 - Budget Office distr
Page 11 and 12: Harford class of ‘09 achieves 100
Page 13 and 14: Harford middle school students clos
Page 15 and 16: Improvements The image to the left
Page 17 and 18: Rewind HCPS School Year Students, f
Page 19 and 20: Hall of Fame December Florence Stan
Page 21 and 22: Visit www.hcps.org for up-to-date i
Page 23 and 24: Employment opportunities Office of

2008-09 Annual Report - Harford County Public Schools

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?