In our August 8th newsletter we mentioned that the FNP pushed back on the concept that Frederick County is becoming “Montgomery County north.”  As we hear and read more about Montgomery County, Frederick County parents should be aware that FCPS policies support the same activities and restrictions on disclosures to parents, align closely with the integration of CRT principles*, and seem to be on the same path for staff and teacher training.

A quick “Did You Know” on Montgomery County/Frederick County public schools

Each item listed below is described in more detail later in this article.

1. Montgomery County Public Schools’ Gender Identity Policies Bar Staff from Revealing Student’s Gender Transition to Parents. This is also true in Frederick County under Policy 443 (443.3, 443.4, 443.7, 443.8)
   
   
2. Montgomery County Public Schools allow students to access locker rooms and restrooms “in alignment with their consistently asserted gender identity.” This is also true in Frederick County under policy 443 (443.6)
   
   In addition to the above, FCPS policy 443.7 that students may participate in sports and Physical education classes consistent with their chosen gender. Regulation 400-20 (Student Records) indicates, in section E, paragraph 5, that a change of gender can be made to a students records if a “healthcare practitioner who treated the student for gender identity issues” signs a statement. Because disclosure to parents of gender identity is not allowed, it is suggested that parents access their child’s student records as a method of staying aware of what the school does not disclose.
   
   
3. MCPS is rolling out a new social studies curriculum in which identity politics, anti-racist content, and advocacy for social justice will play key roles. As quoted from a Parents Defending Education article their stated goal is to “embed social justice standards.” Similar activities exist in the FCPS as have been reported in other articles on this website.
   
   
4. Just prior to the pandemic the MCPS “Equity Team” conducted “Examining Whiteness” training for MCPS educators. The plan at that time was for it to be offered once a semester but it is unknown where it stands after the pandemic disruptions. It defined “Whiteness” as follows: 
   
   
   • “A systemic, racial and social construct, backed by no scientific evidence, created to benefit white people by unequally distributing power and privilege through society’s norms, traditions, and institutions.” Earlier this year we started asking for a list of FCPS teacher and staff training, and what organizations would be conducting it. We have not yet received it. We are assuming we will be forced to file a FOIA request to receive it.
     
     
5. Despite opposition from parents that it was unnecessary and the goal was in dispute, the MCPS launched a comprehensive anti-racism audit, costing several hundred thousand dollars. Those that opposed the audit felt that the results could be manipulated by the MCPS to further the introduction of CRT principles*. This year the FCPS authorized $100,000 for a “Climate Equity Study” in the 2022/23 budget. The details of the FCPS study have been requested and we will publish more on it if received.
   
   
6. Surveys and un-scored tests are used in the MCPS as a method of creating “awareness” of social causes. For example, in Sherwood High School freshmen were given a white privilege test. It contained 25 questions concluding that if you answered yes to 13 or more you are privileged.

* The connection between CRT principles and the efforts to establish an antiracist culture are defined in the in the last TIE newsletter and in other articles on the TIE website. A full report for parents will be published within the next few weeks.

Montgomery County Public Schools’ Gender Identity Policies Bar Staff from Revealing Student’s Gender Transition to Parents. According to the guidance issued by the school system, disclosing a student’s transgender status to parents may violate federal privacy laws, as it constitutes “confidential medical information.” In the case of “familial conflict,” it states, “Student Welfare and Compliance (SWC) should be contacted” and “recognizing that providing support for a student is critical, even when the family is non-supportive. (Italics/underline added). FCPS policy states “the responsibility for determining an individual’s identity rests with the individual.” On disclosures it allows parental notification “if the student explicitly wishes” and the student can “decide where, when, and with whom to share” that private information.

Montgomery County Public Schools insists that students should be allowed access to locker rooms and restrooms “in alignment with their consistently asserted gender identity.” The document goes on to say that any student who feels uncomfortable sharing space with students who identify as transgender will be sent to counseling to learn about inclusivity. FCPS policy follows this thinking and states that students can “determine which facilities are consistent with their gender identity.” (443.6)

MCPS is rolling out a new social studies curriculum in which identity politics, anti-racist content, and advocacy for social justice will play key roles. The new curriculum outlines four “domains”: Identity, Diversity, Justice, and Action (IDJA). Students will “develop positive social identities based on their memberships in multiple groups in society” while recognizing “traits of the dominant culture,” Students will also “recognize . . . injustice at the institutional or systemic level” (i.e. systemic racism). Finally, students will be asked to plan and carry out “collective action against bias and injustice in the world.” 

The MCPS PreK-12 Social Studies Supervisor stated that one of the goals was embedding the social justice standards as well as anti-bias and antiracism content.

According to the Washington Free Beacon, MCPS is in the process of developing similar curricula for kindergarten through third grade to institute by 2026. Its curriculum office did not respond to a request for comment. For FCPS parents can reference the latest newsletter and other articles currently on this site. An upcoming article on this website will outline how and where CRT principles are present and/or in development for FCPS.

Montgomery County’s “Examining Whiteness” training was only the tip of the training iceberg for MCPS staff and teachers. The program Parents Defending Education reported late last year that the MCPS requires staff to complete Bridging Implicit Bias to Racism” and Fundamentals of Restorative Justice” training. Both courses stress anti-racism (“it is not enough to be a non-racist, you must also be an anti-racist”) and structural racism (the ”historical normalization and legitimization that advantages Whites while producing cumulative and chronic adverse outcomes for people of color”). The training also uses a Wheel of Power to demonstrate that power only belongs to citizens, Whites, the slim and able-bodied, rich, cisgender, heterosexual, college educated, robust, property owners.

Keep in mind that we first asked for the required teacher and staff training from the FCPS administration in February.

Surveys and un-scored tests are used in the MCPS as a method of creating “awareness” of social causes.  The white privilege test was part of a pre-reading assignment that asked the 9^th grade students to define what it means to be an anti-racist and define white privilege. It then gave them a link to the 25 question white privilege test.

The point here is that parents must be diligent in knowing what is happening in their child’s classrooms and must be aware of any survey their child is asked to take (or a questionnaire), and should require that they see every test. (Anyone that would like to see the 25 question white privilege test can do so by sending an email via the website contact information.)

Closing Thoughts:

We live in times where the traditional role of the school is changing rapidly and accelerating beyond the community’s ability to keep up. Transparency is critical for the community to stay engaged and empowered.

We feel strongly that all residents, and especially parents of children in the Frederick County public schools, should ask themselves whether they support these policies, but they can only do so if they are aware they exist.

As always we encourage every parent to execute the first line of transparency; talk with your child’s teachers, but all residents should make sure increased transparency is a priority of the FCPS. We will help obtain it if you cannot.

You can help build transparency by signing up for the newsletter on this site, forwarding it to others, and asking BOE candidates and those running for county and state offices where they stand on these and all issues regarding transparency and accountability.