The Howard County Department of Parks and Recreation puts programs through a rigorous review before they are offered to the community.
“We have our staff analyze a program to see if something is needed,” said Laura Wetherald, the department?s bureau chief.
“Vendors have to prepare proposals, and we review them. Also, at the end of every season, we conduct evaluations with the staff and participants.”
Danielle Hilliard, owner of COMPUTERTOTS/COMPUTER EXPLORERS, a Columbia-based business that provides computer technology programs to young children, said the county reviewed her program before agreeing to offer the program last fall.
“They wanted to know about the curriculum,” she said.
In a market saturated with educational programs, Hilliard said hers stands out because of its quality.
“More than half of the 15 people who work for me are educators, meaning they have a bachelor?s degree in education and/or teaching experience,” said Hilliard, who has operated the business for more than two years.
Hilliard said many students don?t understand how to properly shut down a computer without losing pertinent information.
She also said students don?t comprehend proper technology vocabulary.
Regional officials who assess programs offered at their sites said they must undergo a review process before they are offered to the community.
In Carroll County, volunteer and community recreation councils interview people who want to offer programs in the county.
“They get a number of resumes, ask them to submit an outline, and they have to let us know what their teaching experience is,” said Jeff Degitz, director of Carroll?s Department of Recreation and Parks.
In Harford County, recreation councils evaluate community programs, said Paul Yanney, chief of recreation for the county?s Department of Parks and Recreation.
“The councils want to know the budget, content and everything there is to know about the program,” Yanney said.
