Supporting Equity, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning in Howard County Public Schools
Supporting Equity, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning in Howard County Public Schools
Bright Minds was created in 2006 by the Howard County Board of Education. Recognizing the initiatives of community volunteers to help in public schools, the board members know that the system would remain among the best in the nation by focusing additional resources where some family resources were limited.
Bright Minds is an independent, non-profit foundation formed to address equity and equality, to promote educational innovation and to support skills that serve students throughout their lives. We fund programs, services and ideas that can make a difference in a student’s life. We make grants where funding would otherwise not be available within the system’s budget.
Although Howard County is one of the wealthiest communities in the country, one in ten of our public school students are eligible to receive free or reduced priced meals and over 350 children are homeless. These children are academically disadvantaged because they do not have access to the personal resources that most of Howard County takes for granted. Bright Minds wants to level the playing field by providing learning tools to families whose resources are limited.
The Howard County Public School System supports innovation and professional growth opportunities for its teachers. But even in the best of times, funding is limited and education dollars are often eaten up by enrollment growth and increasing operating costs. Bright Minds offers grants to educators in support of their efforts to put creative and innovative teaching and learning strategies into practice.
Bright Minds recognizes that we are all teachers and learners throughout our lives and that learning occurs both in and outside of the classroom and continues long after formal education ends. For that reason, the Foundation supports professional growth opportunities for teachers, programs that prepare students for the 21st century workplace, and greater involvement of the broader community in public schools.
We are focused on helping all Howard County students reach their full potential.
Good people give to good causes. Bright Minds provides needed support for students so they can thrive and lead in the 21st century. We invite you to learn more about our work.
Schools can’t do it alone. They need the help of the entire community to realize their goals. Talk to your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends. Ask your employer to match your gift. Share your commitment and get others involved.
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