Howard County Public Schools Educational Foundation Inc

Teacher Support & Development:Bright Minds Classroom Grants help educators pilot innovative instructional projects that support student success, enrich teaching practices, strengthen school communities, and pilot important projects that can be considered for broader implementation. Since 2009, Bright Minds has awarded $247,046 in grants to 173 educators. Bright Minds administers Teacher Externships, which provide summer workplace learning opportunities that strengthen teaching relevance and educator retention. During the first 3 years of the program, 15 externs were hosted by 9 area employers.

Student Scholarships:Bright Minds administers memorial and honorary post-secondary scholarships that help make college more accessible for graduates. Since 2015, Bright Minds has administered 17 scholarship funds and awarded 98 students $137,123 in scholarships. Since 2019, Bright Minds has also helped HCPSS students earn college credits and explore career options through the JumpStart dual enrollment program by providing books/course fee scholarships for students eligible for Free and Reduced Meals. In total, Bright Minds provided 623 HCPSS students with $116,756 in JumpStart scholarships.

Early Childhood Literacy:Only 54% of Howard County children demonstrated kindergarten readiness in 2023 (MD Dept. of Ed.) and delays in the early years of education are difficult to overcome. Bright Minds is the local affiliate for Dolly Partons nationally-recognized Imagination Library. Our Read With Me-Howard County program sends participating children an age-appropriate book each month from birth through age five. The program builds emergent literacy skills, inspires a love of reading, encourages parent-child interaction, and prepares children for kindergarten. More than 3,970 county children received 69,808 books thus far.