JPH, School Food and Nutrition Services Programs
On May 10, 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted Policy JPH, School Food and Nutrition Services Programs, to comply with federal requirements that all recipients of school meal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service have a policy that addresses specified elements of the system’s meal charge policy.
ECA, Sustainability
On June 28, 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy ECA, Energy Conservation, and introduced a new title, Sustainability, to reflect a broad commitment to sustainability, of which energy conservation is only one part. Sustainability affirms Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) responsibilities as an educational leader in the area of environmental literacy and sustainability, set forth in the Code of Maryland Regulations and Montgomery County Climate Action Plan. The policy affirms the Board’s commitment to all areas of long-term sustainability and environmental stewardship. The policy also addresses Maryland initiatives to increase the number of green schools in the state of Maryland, and meets a Maryland requirement for all Maryland public schools to update their energy policies by July 1, 2022 to reflect a commitment to all areas of long-term sustainability, environmental stewardship, and environmental educational leadership.
FFA, Naming School Facilities
On June 7, 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted amendments to Policy FFA, Naming School Facilities, to update the criteria by which names for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) schools and facilities are evaluated, and re-evaluated, as needed. These criteria acknowledge that naming a school or facility for an individual is a commitment of public resources and a high honor that should be reserved for ideals, core values, and commitments expressed in Board policies, including Policy ACA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency, and equitably represent the diversity of Montgomery County.
JGA, Behavior Intervention, Safety, and Well-being Plan
On April 7, 2022, the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted amendments to Policy JGA, Behavior Intervention, Safety, and Well-being Plan, as required in Maryland State Department of Education guidance, to provide a philosophy of behavior intervention that is rehabilitative, restorative, educational; and implemented fairly and equitably with clear, appropriate, and consistent expectations and consequences to address student behavior that violates the Student Code of Conduct in MCPS, regardless of whether the instructional environment is in person or virtual
JHF, Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation
On March 8, 2022, the Board of Education adopted compliance-related amendments to Board Policy JHF to bring it into alignment with the Maryland State Board of Education Maryland’s Model Policy Prohibiting Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation (Model Policy), in accordance with §7-424.1 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, which requires the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to update the Model Policy every five years.
COG-RA, Personal Mobile Devices
On May 2, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation COG-RA, Personal Mobile Devices was revised to update conditions under which students may possess and use personal mobile (PMDs) on MCPS property and at MCPS-sponsored activities. Key updates include the following:
IOE-RA, Guidelines for the Continuing Education of Pregnant and Parenting Students
On April 28, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IOE-RA, Guidelines for the Continuing Education of Pregnant and Parenting Students, was revised to comply with the Maryland State Department of Education Model Policy: Maryland’s Model Policy to Support the Educational and parenting Goals and Improve the Educational Outcomes of Pregnant and Parenting Students (Model Policy). Key Updates include the following:
JEA-RA, Student Attendance
On April 28, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JEA-RA, Student Attendance, was revised to comply with the Maryland State Department of Education Model Policy: Maryland’s Model Policy to Support the Educational and parenting Goals and Improve the Educational Outcomes of Pregnant and Parenting Students (Model Policy). Key Updates include the following:
IKA-RA, Grading and Reporting
On April 27, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IKA-RA, Grading and Reporting, was revised to update credit recovery procedures for high school students who failed the second marking period of a semester of a course, and related procedures for credit recovery. Additional updates to grade replacement procedures specify that a grade modification request must be reviewed and a determination made by the principal. Previously, this was a task that a principal could delegate to a designee. The updated regulation further specifies the responsibilities of school counselors related to supporting students registering for credit recovery and updating students’ grades.
IKC-RA, Grade Point Averages (GPA) and Weighted Grade Point Averages (WGPA)
On April 27, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IKC-RA, Grade Point Averages (GPA) and Weighted Grade Point Averages (WGPA), was revised to establish a condition under which a student, with prior approval, may transfer to a course in the same subject area after the 25th day of the semester, with no notation on the student’s permanent record, transcript, or report card.
ISB-RA, High School Graduation Requirements
On March 9, 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ISB-RA, High School Graduation Requirements, was revised to update credit/no credit provisions for students who enter with transcripts or other evidence of course completion where letter grades are not provided.
IQD-RA, Academic Eligibility for High School Students Who Participate in Extracurricular Activities
On October 8, 2021, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IQD-RA, Academic Eligibility for High School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics, was revised to align with the Board of Educations March 23, 2021 amendments to Policy IQD, Extracurricular Activities. Academic eligibility requirements now apply only to students who in participate in interscholastic athletics.
IQD-RB, Academic Eligibility for Middle School Students Who Participate in Extracurricular Activities
On October 8, 2021, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IQD-RB, Academic Eligibility for Middle School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics, was revised to align with the Board of Education’s March 23, 2021 amendments to Policy IQD, Extracurricular Activities. Academic eligibility requirements now apply only to students who in participate in interscholastic athletics.
COB-RA, Incident Reporting
On August 31, 2021, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation COB-RA, Incident Reporting, was revised by the superintendent of schools. Updates clarify procedures for Community Engagement Officers in alignment with the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Montgomery County Police Department and the Montgomery County Public Schools and Other Agencies Regarding the Community Engagement Officer Program and Other Law Enforcement Responses to School-based Incidents, August 30, 2021.
JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities
On August 1, 2021, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities, was revised by the superintendent of schools. Updates clarify expectations for dress and grooming.
ILA-RA, Assessments with Security and Reporting Requirements
On July 19, 2021, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ILA-RA, Assessments with Security and Reporting Requirements, was revised by the superintendent of schools. Updates clarify procedures required by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to designate a Local Accountability Coordinator; training requirements for staff who assist and/or administer state assessments; guidance regarding provision of accommodations in the test environment; restrictions on personal mobile devices; and procedures for addressing testing irregularities.
JEA-RD, Enrollment of Homeless Students
On July 8, 2021, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JEA-RD, Enrollment of Homeless Students, was revised by the superintendent of schools. Updates clarify procedures required by federal law that include provisions for eligibility determination, determination of the best interest of the child, awarding credit for full or partial coursework, participation in extracurricular activities, and provisions qualifying preschool-age homeless children; definitions regarding a child’s or youth’s primary nighttime residents that may qualify them as homeless; the responsibilities of the MCPS Homeless Liaison. New language addresses unaccompanied homeless youth, and natural or human-made disasters that may result in families losing their homes.