This page contains links to a variety of information related to the education of children.

Education Laws

No Child Left Behind President Bush's 2001 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, entitled No Child Left Behind (NCLB), is the most highly publicized education law of the past decade.  This law attempts to reform the nation's schools by providing stronger accountability, more freedom for state and local school systems to make decisions, recommendations to use proven education methods, and more choices for parents.  Understanding this far reaching law is important for all educators.  This is the federal government's website describing No Child Left Behind. No Child Left Behind This powerpoint presentation was developed by Natis Cifone and Sean Blades, students in HCC's Introduction to Education course.  It provides an overview of No Child Left Behind. NCLB Powerpoint Presentation Individuals with Disabilities Education Act The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, was first passed in 1975 as the Education of All Handicapped Children Act or PL94-142.  This is the law which governs special education and related services for children with disabilities.  IDEA was just reauthorized December 2004 with important changes which went into effect July 2005.  These changes align the act more closely with No Child Left Behind. The Maryland Disability Law Center is a private, nonprofit organization.  In conjunction with the Maryland State Department of Education, they produce the booklet "Special Education: Rights and Wrongs" which explains IDEA in reader friendly terms.  Special Education: Rights and Wrongs IDEA promotes the inclusion of children with disabilities within the general education environment.  The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education is a nonprofit organization which furthers the inclusion of children with disabilities in their neighborhood schools.  They maintain a library and have a number of useful publications which can be downloaded online. Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education Americans with Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or ADA, is an extension of Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  It is not actually an education law but it impacts schools, including private schools and daycare facilities, because it guarantees equal access to individuals with disabilities.  This law states that reasonable accommodations must be made for individuals with disabilities.  ADA and Childcare

Local Schools and Daycare Facilities

Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum In Maryland, all public schools follow the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum, MVSC.  Some private schools also follow this curriculum.  This curriculum covers eight core subjects: mathematics, reading/English language arts, science, social studies, arts, foreign language, health & PE, and English language proficiency.  The curriculum says what children should know and do in each core subject at each grade pre-K through 8.  Maryland State Voluntary Curriculum Infant and Toddler Curriculum Maryland has also created a curriculum for children birth through 36 months.  Adherence to this curriculum is not required for licensure in Maryland, but it is a useful resource for teachers of the very young. Maryland Guidelines for Healthy Child Development and Care for Young Children Maryland Assessments In compliance with No Child Left Behind, Maryland administers assessments to children in grades 3-8.  These assessments are called the Maryland School Assessments, or MSA's.  The MSA's test students' skills in reading and mathematics.  Tests in science will begin to be added in 2008. MSA's Beginning with the graduating class of 2009, high schools students must earn a satisfactory score on the High School Assessments, or HSA's, in order to graduate from high school.  The HSA's test students' proficiency in algebra/data analysis, biology, English 10, and government. HSA's Local Public School Systems Harford County Public Schools has a website which contains information about each public school in the county, employment openings, and other announcements.  Harford County Public Schools MSA and HSA results and other statistics about each public school can be viewed on the website for the Maryland Report Card. Maryland Report Card Locating Daycare This list of licensed daycare facilities can help you find childcare in your area. Daycare listings Finding Childcare for Children with Special Needs