skip to main content

HCPSS / POLICIES

Policy 9100 – Educational Programs for Pregnant and Parenting Students

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction regarding educational programs for pregnant and parenting students.

Policy Document

Implementation Procedures

I. Policy Value Statement

The Board of Education of Howard County (Board) recognizes its responsibility to provide appropriate educational programs for pregnant students in accordance with state regulations and Title IX requirements. The Board further recognizes the Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS) responsibility to provide equity and access for all students in a supportive school environment.

Pregnant and parenting students must be allowed to participate in all aspects of the educational program, including all academic, physical, and social components, and must have access to a range of specific activities and policies that govern activities both in and outside of the classroom. These activities include, but are not limited to, excused absences, make-up work, accommodations for instruction, lactation, and designated HCPSS support staff in the school.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction regarding educational programs for pregnant and parenting students.

III. Standards

  1. In accordance with Title IX, HCPSS will not discriminate against an enrolled student in academic or non-academic activities because of pregnancy, birth of a child, false pregnancy, miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.

  2. Pregnant Student Over the Compulsory School Age

    1. A student over the compulsory school age who has not completed a high school education may elect to remain in their school and may not be involuntarily excluded from any part of the program or withdrawn from school.

    2. Any decision to modify the program or provide the student an appropriate alternative educational program as described in Section III.D. below, will be reached in joint consultation with the student, appropriate educational and medical personnel, and the student’s parent(s), if the student elects to include the parent(s).

  3. Pregnant Student Under Compulsory School Age

    1. A pregnant student who is under compulsory school age, may enroll in an appropriate educational program planned for that student, as described in Section III.D. below.

    2. The decision concerning an appropriate educational program will be reached in joint consultation with the student, the student’s parent(s), and appropriate educational and medical personnel.

  4. Appropriate educational programs for pregnant students offered through the HCPSS include, but are not limited to:

    1. Continuation at their home school (modified based on individual needs).

    2. HCPSS Regional Teen Parent Childcare and Outreach Program.

    3. Home and hospital teaching.

    4. Alternative education programs.

    5. Remote learning through electronic means.

    6. Combination of the above programs.

  5. HCPSS will support the student’s family and cooperate with other State and local agencies, such as health, welfare, and juvenile services and with private physicians or agencies to assure that the pregnant student receives appropriate medical, psychological, and social services during and following the pregnancy as needed.

  6. The school principal will consider whether to recommend to the local Superintendent a waiver of the Maryland High School Assessment graduation requirements that the student has not fulfilled to date if:  The student is prevented from meeting the State assessment graduation requirements because the student experienced a special, extraordinary, or extenuating circumstance or combination of circumstances preceding the administration of the most recent Maryland High School Assessment, such as a serious or prolonged illness or pregnancy with medical complications. (COMAR 13A.03.02.09-1)

  7. Parenting students may elect to remain in their home school and will not be excluded from any part of their educational program.

  8. Lawful/Excused Absences

    1. Pregnancy- and parenting-related conditions are lawful/excused absences for:

      1. Labor

      2. Delivery

      3. Recovery

      4. Prenatal and postnatal medical appointments

    2. A parenting student is allowed at least ten (10) lawful/excused absences days after the birth of the student’s child.  Extensions may be granted for additional lawful/excused absences upon approval of the Superintendent/designee.

    3. A parenting student’s absences due to an illness or a medical appointment of the student’s child are lawful/excused absences. The school may not require a note from a physician for the first four (4) days of absence per school year, but after four days of such absences during a school year, a physician’s note may be required.

    4. A student’s absences due to a legal appointment involving the pregnant or parenting student that is related to family law proceedings, including adoption, custody, and visitation are lawful/excused absences.

    5. A student’s absences from class due to the use of a lactation space to nurse or express milk are excused.

  9. Make Up Work

    Pregnant and parenting students may choose one of the following alternatives other than home and hospital teaching to make up work that the student missed for a lawful, excused absence:

    1. Retake a semester;

    2. Participate in an online course credit recovery program; or

    3. Allow the student six weeks to continue at the same pace and finish at a later date.

  10. Lactation

    Each high school must provide a private lactation space in the school. Should the need arise in a middle school, a private space that adheres to the indicators listed below will be identified.

    1. The lactation space must include at least one seating option with a flat surface.

    2. The lactation space must include an electrical outlet nearby to accommodate placement of a breast pump device.

    3. The lactation space may not be a bathroom or a closet.

    4. The lactating student must have access to a refrigerator located close to the private lactation space.

  11. Student Supports

    At least one HCPSS employee will be designated to connect pregnant and parenting students with the follow resources:

    1. Safe, affordable, and reliable childcare.

    2. Early education services.

    3. Transportation services to and from school.

IV. Responsibilities

  1. The Superintendent/designee will ensure the policy is included in the school system’s student handbook.

  2. The Office of Student Services will ensure that pregnant and parenting students are informed of their educational rights under this policy.

  3. School administrators will ensure that HCPSS employees review this policy annually.

V. Delegation of Authority

The Superintendent is authorized to develop appropriate procedures for the implementation of this policy within the limits set forth by this policy.

VI. Definitions

Within the context of this policy, the following definitions apply:

  1. Compulsory School Age – Age required by the state for which a student must be enrolled in and attending public school or an equivalent approved education program.

  2. Educational Programs – A grouping of operations or activities which is identifiable as a distinct entity with specific goals and objectives for budgetary, operational, and managerial purposes (e.g., music program, gifted and talented program, science program, etc.)

  3. HCPSS Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee of the HCPSS whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board, including but not limited to, school-based administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, paraeducators, and other school-based and Central Office support staff.

  4. Lawful/Excused Absence – An excused absence for any portion of the day under the following conditions:

    1. Death in the immediate family

    2. Illness of the student, including mental illness or behavioral health needs

    3. Pregnancy and parenting needs

    4. Court summons

    5. Hazardous weather conditions

    6. Work approved or sponsored by the school

    7. Observance of a religious holiday

    8. State emergency

    9. Suspension

    10. Lack of authorized transportation

    11. Other emergency or set of circumstances which, in the judgment of the Superintendent or designee, constitutes a good and sufficient cause for absence from school include student discretionary days referenced in Policy 9010 implementation procedures, such as visits to post-secondary institutions, participation in college orientation programs, scheduled interviews with prospective employers, special family events, and civic engagement opportunities.

  5. Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the student:

    1. Biological Parent – A natural parent whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    2. Adoptive Parent – A person who has legally adopted the student and whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    3. Custodian – A person or an agency appointed by the court as the legal custodian of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    4. Guardian – A person who has been placed by the court in charge of the affairs of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    5. Caregiver – An adult resident of Howard County who exercises care, custody or control over the student but who is neither the biological parent nor legal guardian, as long as the person satisfies the requirements of the Education Article, §7-101 (c) (Informal Kinship Care) or has been issued a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Verification of Release form entering into a custodial arrangement with the federal government.

    6. Foster Parent – An adult approved to care for a child who has been placed in their home by a state agency or a licensed child placement agency as provided by the Family Law Article, §5-507.

  6. Parenting Student – A student who is a parent of a child.

VII. References

A. Legal

  • Federal Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended – 20 U.S.C. §1232g, and its Regulations – 34 CFR Part 99

  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

  • The Md. Ann. Code, Education Article, Section 4-139

  • The Md. Ann. Code, Education Article, Section 7-301.1

  • The Md. Ann. Code, Health-General Article, Section 4-301, et seq.

  • The Md. Ann. Code, Health-General Article, Section 20-102

  • COMAR 13A.03.02.09-1. Appeal of Denial of Diploma for Failure to Meet Maryland High School Assessment Requirement

  • COMAR 13A.08.01.03

  • COMAR 13A.08.02, Student Records

B. Board Policies

C. Relevant Data Sources

D. Other

VIII. History

ADOPTED: August 3, 1971

REVIEWED: January 27, 2023

MODIFIED:

  • April 7, 2022

  • March 7, 2024

REVISED:

  • September 13, 1990

  • January 10, 2008

  • January 12, 2017

EFFECTIVE: March 7, 2024

Policy History Key

  • Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
  • Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
  • Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
  • Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
  • Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.