Online Digital Tools

Empowering Future-Ready Graduates Through Purposeful Innovation

Our Commitment to MCPS Families: In alignment with the MCPS Strategic Plan 2025–2030, technology in Montgomery County Public Schools is never a substitute for real-world connection or teacher-led instruction; instead, it serves as an essential bridge to college and career readiness.

Every digital tool approved for our classrooms undergoes a thorough evaluation to ensure it directly supports our commitment to MCPS’s Future Ready Framework and prioritizes high-quality instructional materials that follow all local, state, and federal guidelines for data privacy and security as well as accessibility standards. By maintaining these uncompromising standards, we protect our students today while intentionally equipping them for tomorrow.

MCPS is committed to intentional, high-quality digital learning that promotes healthy screen time balance.

Technology should never replace face-to-face, active instruction; rather, digital tools are selected to elevate learning with intention, enhance student engagement, and support diverse learning needs without leading to excessive device exposure.

In accordance with state and federal standards, all online digital tools must pass centralized vetting for instructional alignment and data privacy and security. Accessibility compliance is also assessed as part of the tool review process.

Instructional Alignment: Audited by the Division of Teaching and Learning for pedagogical value
Data Privacy and Security: Review of compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines regarding data privacy and security
Accessibility: Evaluated for accessibility per Section 508 and Website Content Accessibility Standards (WCAG) 2.1

MCPS defines digital tools in accordance with Maryland's Equivalent Access for Students with Disabilities (Md. Code, Educ. § 7-910)

Using the Dashboard

Use the filters below to search for approved software, apps, and digital resources by Grade Level, Subject Area, or Approval Status. You can verify whether a tool is cleared for classroom use, currently undergoing evaluation, or prohibited.

✅ Approved: The tool meets all instructional, data privacy and technical security standards and is cleared either for district-wide or school-specific use within the designated grade levels and staff use guidelines.
⏳ Under Review (No Student Use): This tool is currently being evaluated and is restricted from student use until further notice.
⚠️ Affirmative Parental Consent Required: The tool many only be used with Affirmative Parental Consent. If a parent/guardian does not provide consent, the student may not use the tool and must be offered an alternate assignment or activity.
❌ Prohibited: The tool did not meet our data privacy, security, or instructional alignment standards and may not be used.

For MCPS Staff

If you would like to submit a request for an online digital tool to be vetted, please follow the steps below. Please note, the vetting process takes at least 60 days from submission to a final approval or denial decision.

Step 1: Check Pre-Approved Tools	Step 2: Submit Required Documentation
Search the Online Digital Tools Dashboard to check if the tool requested has already been approved or search the dashboard using the filters. Before submitting a new request, please confirm that the tool addresses an unmet need or offers a significant functional upgrade over our currently approved resources.	Instructional Tools - Complete Form 365-25 (Record of Evaluation for Instructional Materials) and email it to EvaluationUnit@mcpsmd.org to initiate the process. Non-Instructional Tools - Email ODT@mcpsmd.org with the name and website address/url of the requested tool.

Questions? ODT@mcpsmd.org

We are committed to a fair, transparent, and structured process for selecting our business partners. To ensure high quality and the best value for our schools and community, all vendor opportunities go through our official Procurement Unit. Click here for more information.

If you have concerns about a website that is accessible from your student's MCPS provided device and would like it reviewed by MCPS to potentially blocking it, please use the Community Tech Support Portal found here: montgomery.service-now.com/csm to open a case. Please provide the website and any additional relevant information about the website so that MCPS technology staff may review the site.

About Online Digital Tool Consent

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) uses a variety of Online Digital Tools (ODTs) to support high quality instruction, and enhance student learning. To govern the safe, ethical, and strategic integration of these systems, the Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) adopted significant revisions to Board Policy IGS, Educational Technology (amended May 21, 2026). This policy establishes rigorous guidelines for data privacy, cybersecurity, and equitable access, ensuring that classroom tools reinforce teacher-led, active, and authentic learning. To maximize student safety, MCPS rigorously screens all ODTs for compliance with state and federal standards, including FERPA, COPPA, MODPA, MD Education Code § 4-131. These ODTs have been verified for compliance with applicable federal and state guidelines.

Why Some Tools Need Parental Consent

Some of these ODTs are classified as “Affirmative Parental Consent Required.” These tools have been vetted and are approved for use provided that schools obtain affirmative parental/guardian consent before students use the ODT. This ensures that MCPS is in full compliance with federal data privacy laws.

A list of all MCPS-reviewed ODTs and their approval classifications is available on the MCPS Online Digital tools website under the Online Digital Tools Database.

Notice:

Your student's school will provide the form that must be completed every school year to align with annual FERPA notifications and changing classroom tool rosters.
If you do not provide consent, your student will be provided with an alternative assignment or activity that does not require the use of these tools.
If this form is not returned, the school will assume that consent has NOT been granted for your student to use ODTs classified as “Affirmative Parental Consent Required.”
If you need to change your decision at a later date, contact your school directly in writing.
If you enroll your child after the start of the school year, you can complete this form at the time of enrollment.

How MCPS Classifies Online Digital Tools

MCPS places reviewed digital tools into four categories:

Approved (Contract or DPA):

Vendor has a formal agreement with MCPS and qualifies as a school official under FERPA. Additional parental consent is not required.

Approved (Terms of Service):

Vendor terms and privacy commitments have been reviewed by MCPS and allow the district to treat the vendor as a school official under FERPA. Additional parental consent is not required.

Affirmative Parental Consent Required:

The tool may be used instructionally, but because there is no formal districtwide contract with the vendor. Therefore, parent/guardian permission is required before student use. If parents do not provide consent, students will receive alternative assignments that do not require those tools.

Prohibited:

The tool does not meet MCPS privacy or security standards and may not be used.

Additional Information

Each school year, families receive the district's annual notice regarding student privacy and directory information. Please note that this consent form specifically pertains to tools classified as “Affirmative Parental Consent Required” and is separate from the annual FERPA notice.

Families can review the full list of MCPS-reviewed tools in the district’s Online Digital Tools Database on the MCPS Data Privacy website.