Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Edtech And Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
FCPS special education officials describe EdPlan MD rollout, ParentConnect portal and program expansions
Summary
Frederick County Public Schools’ special education leaders briefed the CCAC on the district’s transition to EdPlan MD for IEPs/504 plans, ParentConnect features, updated program counts and other service changes, and answered member questions about staff training, director roles and communications.
Laura Buckley, director in the Frederick County Public Schools Department of Special Education, told the Special Education CCAC the district launched EdPlan MD this summer as the new platform for individualized education programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans, replacing Maryland Online IEP.
Buckley said FCPS trained more than 1,000 staff members over the summer and is currently accessing both EdPlan and the legacy system during the transition. She described ParentConnect, a family-facing portal that will surface current and historical documents, case manager contact information and progress reports; Buckley said ParentConnect translates into more than 26 languages. She noted parents do not receive a ParentConnect email until their child’s first document is uploaded to the portal and advised members to check spam folders for messages from edplanconnect@pcgus.com.
Buckley said the district is replacing free-text IEP notes with formal prior written notices generated in EdPlan, to reduce redundancy and strengthen documentation. She also pointed CCAC members to the board packet for an Aug. 6 presentation (packet pages 115–168) that includes the system overview and data. Buckley said students with disabilities constitute 13.41% of FCPS enrollment and students with 504 plans are 7.52%.
On program development, Buckley described expansion of specialized programming, including a RISE program currently serving students at Thurmont Middle School and a second RISE location. The department published an inclusive continuum of services guidebook for staff and families, has strengthened compliance tracking and is emphasizing co-teaching strategies, tier 1 supports and staff well-being.
When asked about organizational changes, Buckley said Mr. Keller will serve as the district’s elementary director of special education while she will function as the secondary director for the school year; she offered to provide the committee an updated org chart showing those shifts. Buckley said the department will continue monthly updates and asked members to raise questions about training dates, parent drop-in resources and how schools plan to use ParentConnect during open houses.
Buckley invited CCAC members to a Sept. 10 board meeting presentation and said the department will provide a data sheet to the committee with level-by-level breakdowns of student counts and program placements.
