HCPSSCommit to Participate in the HCPSS 2021-2022 Digital Education Center by May 5, 2021
April 21st, 2021
Update May 5, 2021
The DEC priority commitment period has closed. Families who are interested in committing to the DEC at a later time may have the opportunity to participate if space is available in the program after final budget approval.
The final Digital Education Center scope and options are subject to funding, staffing and Board of Education approval.
Howard County residents with children who do not currently have access to HCPSS Connect Synergy, including families with incoming kindergarten students already enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year and those who intend to enroll their children in the Howard County Public School System for the 2021-2022 school year should use this form (now closed) to commit to the DEC.
The Howard County Public School System is planning for a full-time online option for students entering grades K-12 who wish to learn virtually for the 2021-2022 school year. Once finalized, the Digital Education Center (DEC) program will give students the opportunity to take classes and earn credits virtually, while receiving support services from both the DEC and their assigned home school. DEC students will continue to be enrolled in their assigned home school and will be able to participate in athletics and activities at that school if/as schedules and transportation allows.
Parents/guardians who wish to commit to the DEC should log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy by Wednesday, May 5 at 4 p.m. (see directions below). Families must commit to the DEC for the full 2021-2022 school year. Students who wish to return to in-person learning during the 2021-2022 school year, if that option is available, should not sign up for the DEC. The Superintendent and Board of Education members have stressed that they consider the return to normalized, five-day, in-person learning this fall to be essential for the majority of HCPSS students, however, an official decision on the 2021-2022 academic year has not yet been made.
In committing to the DEC, parents/guardians acknowledge that:
- This is a commitment that your child will attend the DEC for the 2021-2022 school year, and that students will need to go through the reassignment process if they choose to return to their home school for instruction.
- Not all course requests may be able to be honored in the DEC environment.
- There are attendance requirements that will apply in the DEC environment.
- The implementation of the DEC is pending funding from the HCPSS Board of Education. Should funding not be provided, students automatically will be returned to their assigned home school.
Prior to making any decision, we strongly encourage families to review details about the DEC that are available online, as well as answers to frequently asked questions for the DEC in general and student-specific information.
Families who commit to the DEC will be contacted by DEC staff in the coming weeks to review student courses prior to final enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year. This decision has no impact for students on the current school year.
[5/5/21: The commitment form is now closed]
Email DEC@hcpss.org with any questions about the Digital Education Center. If you need assistance completing the online commitment form, please contact your child’s school.