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International Student and Family Services

The Howard County Public School System opens its doors to students from around the world. We are fortunate to enroll students representing 77 different languages and 87 countries. The following services are available to students and their families whose primary language is not English.

International Student and Family Services

The Office of International Student and Family Services (OISFS) provides educational services to international students and to students and families who do not speak English proficiently. The program ensures that Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities have equal access to information and resources about school system services, policies, and academic activities.

International Student Registration Center

International students entering the Howard County Public School System register through the International Student Registration Center (ISRC). The students are assessed to determine their English language proficiency and their academic skills at the time of registration. Interpreting services are provided to facilitate the registration process and credit evaluations for high school students are completed on site. For more information, please contact the International Student Registration Center at:

410-313-1525 - English/Korean
410-313-7102 - English/Spanish

• International Student Registration Center Brochure (pdf)
  (Translations: Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Urdu)

International Exchange Student (IES) Program

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) benefits from the annual enrollment of international exchange students into our high schools. These students, coming to the United States through exchange programs approved by the Council on Standards for International Education Travel, are here for a one-year stay with a host family and return to school in their own country to complete their studies.

• Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)
  Link to the CSIET web site.
  
  
• Administrative Guidelines for the Registration, Enrollment and Placement of International Exchange Students (IES) in Howard County Public Schools (pdf)

Questions about IES? Contact Min Kim at min_kim@hcpss.org.

Bilingual Community Liaisons

The primary responsibility of the Bilingual Community Liaison is to facilitate communication with the LEP families whose children are enrolled in our schools. The liaisons collaborate with school staff and community organizations to coordinate services and to advocate for LEP families. The liaisons are stationed at 12 of the county’s schools and provide language and cultural support for more than 3000 LEP families.

International Call Center

The OISFS also provides phone services in Spanish and Korean for families with questions and concerns related to school matters. LEP parents may call the International Call Center and leave messages in their native language. The phone calls are checked daily to support LEP parents who are speakers of Korean or Spanish.

410-313-1591 - Spanish
410-313-1592 - Korean

Interpreters and Translated Documents

The Howard County Public School System has a cadre of interpreters who assist with communication at school meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and at other times when needed. Interpreter services can be arranged through the local school. Additionally, most of the major publications of the Howard County Public School System are translated into five languages in addition to English. 410-313-1549

• Translation Guidelines (pdf)

Parent and Child ESOL

The Parent and Child ESOL (PACE) Program helps parents with limited-English proficiency (LEP) and their children understand and appreciate American school culture and practices. The program connects parents and children through shared learning experiences. While parents are introduced to learning experiences similar to those their children have every day in school, their children engage in activities related to American culture themes.

International Parent Leadership Program

The International Parent Leadership Program (IPLP) is designed to help international parents navigate the school system and develop the confidence to serve as advocates for their children. This six-week program also empowers international parents to assume leadership roles in schools and the community. For more information, contact 410-313-1293.

• IPLP Application (pdf)
• IPLP Meeting Dates (pdf)

Educational Forums

The OISFS coordinates education forums for international families throughout the year. These forums help families who are new to this country understand the American education system. Participants receive information about instruction, testing, and academic expectations, so they can help their children be successful in school. For updated information on education forums, contact the program coordinator at 410-313-1293.