On June 25, 2024, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy IKB, Homework, to update the Board’s priorities for homework assigned to Montgomery County Public School students. The revisions affirm the value of homework that is purposefully designed to attain curricular objectives, in a manner that is consistent with established Board commitments and research-based best practices.
GEA, Board Appointment of MCPS Leaders
On June 5, 2024, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy GEA, Board Appointment of MCPS Leaders, to ensure effective and informed Board decision-making regarding candidates for MCPS leadership positions recommended by the MCPS superintendent of schools. The new policy establishes criteria for leadership positions subject to appointment by the Board; requires due diligence in vetting prospective candidates; sets forth processes to appoint leaders in a timely manner; and identifies candidate information to be included in the superintendent of schools’ recommendation to the Board.
IOD, English Language Development Programs and Services
On June 5, 2024, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy IOD, English Language Learners, to affirm an asset-based framework for the education of Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs); recognize that the academic success of EMLs is a responsibility shared by the students, the family, the community, and all educators; align with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Center for Applied Linguistics’ evaluation of Montgomery County Public Schools programs, and current research; and change the name to Policy IOD, English Language Development Programs and Services.
IJA, Social-Emotional and Mental Health Programming Services for Students
On April 25, 2024, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy IJA, School Counseling Programs and Services, to establish a framework for a multi-tiered system of universal, targeted, and intensive student services that support the educational mission of Montgomery County Public Schools; and to change the name to Policy IJA, Social-Emotional and Mental Health Programming Services for Students.
ABC, Family-School Partnerships
On October 26, 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement, to change the name to Policy ABC, Family-School Partnerships, and to align with updated standards from the National PTA, National Standards for Family-School Partnerships, and findings from the MCPS Antiracist System Audit.
BLB, Rules of Procedure in Appeals and Hearings
On October 26, 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education amended Policy BLB, Rules of Procedure in Appeals and Hearings, to designate “work” day and “calendar” day in alignment with Maryland law, and clarify that the Board or the Board’s designee may exercise discretion to extend time limits on a case-by-case basis. Revisions also designate “work” day and “calendar” day in alignment with Maryland law, and clarify that the Board or the Board’s designee may exercise discretion to extend time limits on a case-by-case basis. Additional amendments set forth the process for the superintendent of schools to respond to the appeal at the request of the Board and/or provide an explanation of decisions that are the subject of the appeal.
IGK-RD, Flying Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) on MCPS Property
On June 5, 2024, the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IGK-RD, Flying Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) on MCPS Property, was revised to establish guidance for the use of drones on MCPS property by MCPS staff and MCPS students for instructional purposes under the direct supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration-approved drone operator. The Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs (OCIP) may specify MCPS instructional programs, such as the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Aviation curriculum, for which drones may be used for instructional purposes.
On June 5, 2024, the Montgomery County Public Schools Regulation IKA-RA, Grading and Reporting, was updated to bring a grade calculation table compliant with Code of Maryland Regulations 13A.03.02.06 requirements for End of Course Examinations in biology and government courses for first time 9th graders beginning in the second semester of 2023-2024.
JEA-RB, Enrollment of Students
On June 5, 2024, the Montgomery County Public Schools Regulation Regulation JEA-RB, Enrollment of Students, was revised to bring consistency to residency procedures, which may be appealed directly to the Office of District Operations/Division of Appeals. The existing language had referred parents/guardians and eligible students to Regulation KLA-RA, Concerns, Complaints, and Appeals to the Superintendent, which is only partly accurate. The revised language refers readers only to the appeal section of Regulation KLA-RA, and clarifies direct appeal language as appropriate.
JEA-RC, Enrollment and Placement of International and Foreign Students
On June 5, 2024, the Montgomery County Public Schools Regulation JEA-RC, Enrollment and Placement of International and Foreign Students, was revised to clarify residency decisions appeal processes and the highlight the section of Regulation KLA-RA, Concerns, Complaints, and Appeals to the Superintendent, applicable to residency appeals.
ACA-RA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency
On April 19, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ACA-RA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency, a technical compliance edit was made to include language that must be included in the MCPS Nondiscrimination Statement required for compliance with recently enacted Maryland law that affirms MCPS’ commitment to nondiscrimination. This is not a change in practice.
KLA-RA, Responding to Inquiries and Complaints from the Public
On March 26, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation KLA-RA, Concerns, Complaints, and Appeals to the Superintendent of Schools was revised to correct an editing error made during the prior update of Regulation KLA-RA during the fall of 2023. The update reflects the current practice about the timeline for appealing decisions to the superintendent of schools/designee within 15 calendar days. This is not a change in practice.
IOE-RB, Interim Instructional Services
On March 20, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IOE-RB, Interim Instructional Services, a technical edit was made to appropriately reference “calendar” day where “school” day had been used.
JPB-RB, Head Lice (Pediculosis Capitis)
On February 8, 2024, the Office of the School System Medical Officer (OSSMO) published guidance by memorandum to implement practices recommended by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) regarding student exclusion and “no-nit” policies. The OSSMO memorandum is the established practice in MCPS while the regulation is undergoing updates. This MDH guidance is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics (Control Measures in Schools), and the National Association of School Nurses. Students identified with a lice infestation can stay in school until the end of the school day and return to school after their first treatment.
ACG-RC, Service Animals in Schools
On January 26, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ACG-RC, Service Animals in Schools, was revised to clarify the definition of a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008. The clarifications were requested to distinguish service animals from emotional support animals, which do not meet the requirements of ADA.
COG-RA, Personal Mobile Devices
On January 26, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation COG-RA, Personal Mobile Devices, was revised to clarify conditions under which principals may need to seek approval from the Office of Strategic Initiatives/Shared Accountability for uses of personal mobile devices (PMDs) during the school day. The Maryland State Department of Education specifies conditions under which PMDs could be considered a test security risk in a standardized testing environment, and these conditions and relevant procedures are referenced in Regulation ILA-RA, Assessments with Security and Reporting Requirements.
IOE-RB, Interim Instructional Services
On January 26, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IOE-RB, Interim Instructional Services, was revised to clarify timelines and responsibilities for the submission of requests for interim instructional services (IIS). The clarifications were recommended by the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education to ensure provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. However, the updates also clarify the roles of school counselors, parents/guardians, and authorized health providers when requesting IIS for any MCPS student.
ISB-RA, High School Graduation Requirements
On January 26, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation ISB-RA, High School Graduation Requirements, was revised to reflect technical updates for clarity, such as updated names of Maryland assessments.
JGA-RA, Student Behavior Interventions
On January 26, 2024, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JGA-RA, Classroom Management and Student Behavior Interventions, was revised to clarify procedures in alignment with updated Maryland law that prohibits seclusion in Maryland public schools. The regulation was also retitled "Student Behavior Interventions," and reflects recent amendments to Montgomery County Board of Education Policy JGA, Behavior Intervention, Safety, and Well-being Plan.
On October 25, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JEA-RA, Student Attendance was revised to implement the Attendance Campaign set forth in the August 9, 2023 memorandum to the Board. Commitments include strategies to promote regular student attendance, regular analysis of attendance data, a continuum of strategies to notify parents/guardians when attendance becomes a concern, and a root cause analysis problem-solving approach, coupled with targeted interventions.
Further revisions comply with recommendations of the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education (OIGE). Updates reflect MCPS's commitment to ensuring accuracy in the reporting of annual September 30 enrollment counts. Specific OIGE recommendations highlighted misalignment between MCPS withdrawal procedures and the Maryland Student Records System Manual, and the need for additional oversight procedures to support accuracy and fidelity in the attendance taking process.
IQD-RB, Academic Eligibility for Middle School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics
On October 25, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IQD-RB, Academic Eligibility for Middle School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics was revised to align with Board of Education Policy, IQD, Extracurricular Activities, clarify terminology and reflect current practice. The revisions –
IQD-RA, Academic Eligibility for High School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics
On October 23, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IQD-RA, Academic Eligibility for High School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics was revised to align with Board of Education Policy, IQD, Extracurricular Activities, clarify terminology and reflect current practice. The revisions –
JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities
On October 23, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities, technical revisions were made to bring the regulation into alignment with more recently enacted published MCPS regulations (i.e., Regulations IGO-RA, Guidelines for Incidents of Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse Involving Students; Regulation IQD-RA, Academic Eligibility for High School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics; and IQD-RB, Academic Eligibility for Middle School Students Who Participate in Interscholastic Athletics) and published MCPS guidance (i.e., A Student’s Guide to Rights and Responsibilities in MCPS and Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity in Montgomery County Public Schools).
KLA-RA, Responding to Inquiries and Complaints from the Public
On October 18, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation KLA-RA, Responding to Inquiries and Complaints from the Public was revised to align with findings and recommendations of a stakeholder review team convened by the superintendent of schools. The revisions reflect extensive engagement with community members to –
JEE-RA, Student Transfers and Administrative Placements
On September 28, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation JEE-RA, Student Transfers and Administrative Placements was revised to add implementation guidance regarding students administratively placed for reportable offenses committed off MCPS property. Additional revisions were proposed to –
CHA-RA, Developing and Publishing Regulations
On September 25, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation CHA-RA, Developing and Publishing Regulations, was updated to align with Board Policy BFA, Policysetting, which allows for technical updates to regulation to update references to specific offices, job titles, or descriptions of functions that have been reassigned; bring a regulation into alignment with more recently enacted Board policy or published MCPS guidance; and/or comply with federal, state, or local law.
On July 19, 2023, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Regulation IGO-RA, Guidelines for Incidents of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse Involving Students, was revised and retitled to reference medical marijuana, update search and seizure procedures, and clarify drug possession procedures that may be relevant to student drug use.