Dear Team MCPS:
It’s that time of year again! …compliance training!
If you are anything like me, you might even audibly groan just reading the words “compliance training.” We get to do amazing things in service to students and families, but this isn’t one of them. That said, let me tell you why we do this every year.
When we say that we (MCPS) are committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning and working environment for students and staff across our district, we have to be really clear on what that means and we have to be unified in how we live out that commitment. And to be completely candid, we are sharing this information with you so that you not only know what the expectations are and how to fulfill them, but also so that you can’t say we didn’t tell you what the expectations are and how to fulfill them.
In all, this training is designed to ensure that every employee has access to the necessary information to establish and maintain a positive, safe, healthy, and lawful climate and culture in which all adults and students are able to thrive. Ultimately, I want you and the students that we serve to be in a place where everyone can do their best work. This is a worthy objective that we should all get behind.
So whether this is your first time or your fiftieth time going through these modules, please dig deep, give it your best effort, muscle through and let the information sink in and accept it with the spirit that it is intended - to make MCPS a better place.
This year’s modules have been developed, organized, and updated around three important areas of focus:
The mandatory training (yep, mandatory…sorry about that) consists of these three online modules, which are designed to be completed in one sitting. The training is available in English and Spanish. Topics from these modules include preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect, employee code of conduct, bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment) and intimidation prevention, recognizing and reporting incidents of hate-bias, religious diversity, and many other important issues. The modules also include multiple options for employees to anonymously report concerns of workplace bullying and sexual harassment.
Based on your MCPS position, you may be required to complete job-specific training that is separate and in addition to the districtwide compliance modules. Your principal/supervisor will notify you of these requirements. The mandatory compliance training requirement by employee association is as follows:
Access to the online training opens July 1, 2025. [PDO Course #93458]
MCEA → Two (2) hours will be programmed within pre-service week for all Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) school-based staff to take online compliance training. MCEA unit members may elect to complete the online compliance training before the start of pre-service week. Teachers who choose to do so will be released from the scheduled two (2) hours of time during pre-service week dedicated for compliance training. See chart linked above
SEIU → This year, ALL 10-month school AND non-school based Service Employees International Union
Local 500 (SEIU) unit members will be provided time by their principal/supervisor to complete the training during a designated time of pre-service week or complete the training prior to pre-service and be compensated two (2) hours pay (Tier II). See chart linked above.
SUBSTITUTES (Permanent and Temporary) → Training Requirements will be communicated by the Substitute Teacher Office in the Office of Human Resources and Development.
All employee associations are included on the completion dates chart.
The deadline for completing this annual training is Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Due to the importance of this training, school-based staff will not be permitted to work with students until training is completed - yes, it is that big of a deal. In cases of noncompliance, staff in the Department of Compliance and Investigations and the Department of Student Conduct and Appeals will work directly with principals and supervisors to determine any necessary personnel actions. For support in accessing and viewing the modules, click here. For questions regarding this message, contact the Department of Student Conduct and Appeals at 240-740-3215, or via email at swc@mcpsmd.org
Thank you all for understanding the importance of this annual compliance training, as well as ensuring you are prepared to keep our students and ourselves feeling safe and valued in our schools.
Sincerely,
Thomas
Thomas W. Taylor, EdD, MBA
Superintendent of Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools