Montgomery County Public Schools

2018–2019 School Year

New and Revised Board of Education Policies and MCPS Regulations

Amended Board of Education Policies 

Revised MCPS Regulations 

EEB-RA  Operation and Care of MCPS Buses

On July 16, 2018, the superintendent of schools revised MCPS Regulation EEB-RA, Operation and Care of MCPS Buses. This regulation was updated to permit MCPS buses to travel at the posted speed limit, instead of the previously stated 55 miles per hour. This update was needed to address the operation of MCPS buses on the Inter-County Connector.  Additional updates are as follows: 

• Persons on MCPS property, including passengers on school buses, may be subject to audio and video camera surveillance with posted notification, and any student or employee may be disciplined based on evidence gathered through such audio and video surveillance. 
• Updated language aligns with current MCPS regulations governing personal mobile devices and service animals. 
• Additional updates provide notification that clarify provisions in the related Board policy, MCPS regulations, and Maryland law regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse.
• Existing language in Regulation EEB-RA instructs bus operators and attendants to report student violations of behavior and safety rules using MCPS Form 555-3, School Bus Disciplinary Report. The form has been updated to align with current requirements related to reporting and investigating bullying, harassment, or intimidation.  As in any case of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, the parent/guardian/student may file a report, and the school administrator is responsible for conducting an investigation.  In the case of such conduct on a bus, the bus operator/attendant uses Form 555-3 to collect additional information to support the school administrator's investigation. 

IGP-RA  Comprehensive Health Education Instructional Program

On July 5, 2018, the superintendent of schools revised MCPS Regulation IGP-RA, Comprehensive Health Education Instructional Program, to comply with Maryland House Bill 0251 (HB0251), Education- Family Life and Human Sexuality Curriculum-Boundaries and Consent, which requires, beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, local boards of education to provide age-appropriate instruction on the meaning of "consent" and respect for personal boundaries as part of the Family Life and Human Sexuality curriculum in every grade in which the curriculum is taught in public schools.  A footnote has been added to indicate that "consent" is defined as the unambiguous and voluntary agreement between all participants in each physical act within the course of interpersonal relationships, including respect for personal boundaries. Additionally, we have added Section 7-441 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article to the Related Sources section of the regulation.  The bill takes effect July 1, 2018.  

IOI-RA Placement Procedures for Alternative Programs

On July 30, 2018, the superintendent of schools revised MCPS Regulation IOI-RA, Placement Procedures for Alternative Programs.  This regulation has been updated to align procedures with the redesign of the Alternative Programs model. The revised regulation reflects the priorities of the redesigned program for all three levels of Alternative Programs, as well as updated priorities for the Alternative Programs Admissions Committee (APAC).  Revisions include:  

• Updated language which sets a clear vision that MCPS staff shall refer students to Alternative Programs based on the assessment of clear, developmentally appropriate, and relevant factors, making sure that placement decisions are based on criteria that are consistently, equitably, and fairly applied. 
• APAC, and other staff as appropriate, shall review aggregated data about Alternative Program referrals, without disclosing personally identifiable information, for the purpose of informing placement decisions and evaluating the implementation of Alternative Programs in alignment with Board of Education Policy ACA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency. 
• Based on the needs of each individual student, criteria shall be set, and monitored at regular intervals, for students entering Level 1 and Level 2 Alternative Programs, to determine the student's academic, behavioral, social, and/or emotional progress in the program. 
• Consistent with MCPS Regulation JGA-RB, Suspension and Expulsion, the revised regulation states that students placed in Level 3 Alternative Programs are expected to return to their regular academic programs, and a multi-stakeholder group shall monitor the student's progress and plan for the student's transition and successful return.  However, students who have been successful in the Level 3 program may voluntarily transition to the Level 2 program upon the request of the parent/guardian, or eligible student, as appropriate.
• The updated regulation authorizes the superintendent of schools/designee to develop pilot recovery programs for the purpose of supporting students returning to MCPS from substance abuse treatment programs. 

KLA-RA  Responding to Inquiries and Complaints from the Public 

On July 5, 2018, the superintendent of schools revised MCPS Regulation KLA-RA, Responding to Inquiries and Complaints from the Public, to describe the office collaboration process when a concern or complaint is not resolved through the informal process and involves a complaint of discrimination based on perceived personal characteristics as defined in Board Policy ACA, Nondiscrimination, Equity, and Cultural Proficiency. The regulation specifically requires involvement of the Office of School Support and Improvement and the Office of Employee Engagement and Labor Relations when MCPS staff members are involved in complaints of bullying, harassment, or intimidation.  The revised regulation also clarifies the timeline for the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, as the superintendent of school's designee, to complete review of complaints in alignment with Board Policy BLB, Rules of Procedures in Appeals and Hearings. 

Rescinded Board of Education Policies

Rescinded MCPS Regulations