Montgomery County Board of Education Seeks Public Comment on Two MCPS Policies

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Text below is from the Montgomery County Public Schools‘ news article ‘Board of Education Seeks Public Comment on Two Policies‘ (December 9, 2020).

#1: Policy JPH,  School Food and Nutrition Services

The Montgomery County Board of Education is proposing a new draft policy Board Policy JPH,  School Food and Nutrition Services Programs, and is seeking public comment from now until February 12, 2021. The presentation reviewed by the Board on December 3, 2020 is available here.

The new draft policy sets forth guidance regarding the ways in which MCPS is a partner in efforts to address childhood hunger in Montgomery County in order to support students’ ability to learn, grow, and maintain health. 

The new draft policy establishes principles and strategies to guide efforts to encourage and assist all qualified students to apply for federally-funded Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs) while eliminating any stigma attached to, or preventing public identification of, students who qualify for FARMs.

Public comments may be submitted here (Deadline: Feb. 12, 2021).

#2: Policy IQD, Academic Eligibility For Extracurricular Activities

The Board is proposing amendments to Board Policy IQD, Academic Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities, and is seeking public comment on the amendments from now until February 12, 2021. As a district committed to nondiscrimination, equity and cultural responsiveness, the Board seeks to balance the state and collegiate expectations with its interest in making extracurricular activities, including interscholastic sports, accessible to as many students as possible. The proposed amendments seek to help more students remain engaged in school activities and consequently enhance their social and academic development. The presentation reviewed by the Board on November 10, 2020 is available here.

Academic eligibility standards for participation in athletic activities are necessary to prepare students for participation in athletic competitions at the statewide level and to prepare them to meet the academic eligibility standards requirements at the collegiate level, should they desire to pursue sports beyond high school. 

Academic eligibility requirements for middle school students participating in interscholastic sports are unchanged, and require a 2.0 grade point average with no more than one failing grade in the previous marking period, beginning in the second marking period of middle school.

Highlights of the Board’s amendments include the following topics:  

  • Remove academic eligibility requirements for middle and high school students participating in extracurricular activities other than interscholastic sports, such as student government, fine arts and academic teams.
  • Set forth academic eligibility requirements for high school students participating in interscholastic sports, with certain exemptions from these requirements, such that:
    • the 2.0 grade point average remains unchanged for high school students participating in interscholastic sports with no more than one failing grade in the previous marking period;
    • however, the amended academic eligibility requirements begin in the second year in any high school, as determined by the student’s marking period average in the fourth quarter of their first year of high school. 

Public comments may be submitted here (Deadline: Feb. 12, 2021).