Curriculum Process
The elected Board of Education of Frederick County approves essential curriculum standards. Recently, among a variety of other curriculum amendments, the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Board of Education voted to accept K-12 Health curriculum set forth by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Those standards now include acknowledgment of the ways children and adults may express themselves (including gender expression) and a recognition of various family compositions. MSDE first released these standards in 2019. Then, the Board of Education’s Curriculum & Instruction Committee deliberated on them during a public meeting on March 9, 2022. On March 23, 2022, the standards were posted to the regular meeting agenda for review and voting. During the March 23, 2022 regular meeting, the Board voted unanimously to approve the standards.
Once curriculum standards are accepted, there are additional opportunities for public engagement during and after the curriculum development process. The Family Life Advisory Committee (FLAC) is composed of health professionals, parents, and other community members who review and provide input on the curriculum itself – that is, those materials of instruction that will be used to support the implementation of the standards framework. FLAC is composed of volunteers who provide vital community voices. Once new curriculum is developed and supporting materials are identified, staff send out a Find-out-First announcement. Then the curriculum materials are offered for public display and review. The public is welcome to review the specific materials of instruction and to, again, provide feedback.
Additionally, the Board of Education receives email through Board@fcps.org and receives and welcomes comment at every scheduled Board of Education meeting. Meeting minutes, recordings of regular Board meetings, and current and previous agendas are available at https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/Public
We welcome feedback on curriculum, policy, and process for developing curriculum.
Inclusion & Respect
The Board of Education welcomes public input, but we will not tolerate abusive or threatening language or action. Our FLAC committee, our FCPS staff, and community members must be able to conduct their work and engage in the public process in a way that is safe and respectful. We will not permit hate language, threats, and chaos in the Board Room or anywhere in FCPS.
Please also know that the FCPS Board of Education is committed to creating a system that welcomes, includes, and affirms every child, family, staff member, and community member. Our children are watching, and our children and community are too important for Frederick County to detour from our caring and respectful nature when discussing issues.
|
Brad Young, President Sue Johnson, Vice President Liz Barrett David Bass |
Jason, “Mr. J” Johnson Jay Mason Karen Yoho Sam Starrs, Student Member of Board |