Board adopts changes to parent engagement and grading policies; amends wording to stress 'commitment' to academic achievement
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Summary
The board approved changes to Board Policy 12‑70 (Parent and Family Engagement) and Board Policy 52‑10 (Grading and Reporting). Members debated wording and an amendment that replaced the word “vision” with “commitment.” A proposal to add a requirement that committees align to research‑informed practices was suggested but not adopted.
The Baltimore County Board of Education accepted committee recommendations and adopted revisions to two board policies on July 8: Board Policy 12‑70 (Parent and Family Engagement) and Board Policy 52‑10 (Grading and Reporting).
Christina Pumphrey, chair of the Policy Review Committee, presented the committee’s recommendations and moved that the board accept revisions to both policies as exhibits N‑1 and N‑2. During discussion, Member Booker Dwyer proposed adding language to committee procedures requiring committees to align with research‑informed practices and to report how committee work advanced the board’s strategic goals. Ms. Dwyer said the change would hold committees to the same standards the board expects from staff.
Member Henn agreed with the concept but said the suggested procedures might belong in the board handbook rather than in policy. The board voted on an amendment from Ms. Dwyer to add “committees shall align with research informed practices” to committee procedures; that amendment did not pass.
Ms. Pumphrey then moved a separate amendment to change the phrase that had read "the board's vision: increasing academic achievement and supporting…" and replace it with language reading "commitment to increase academic achievement and support…" Several board members supported the replacement as clarifying and stronger phrasing; the amendment passed on roll call.
After additional discussion about grading benchmarks and operational detail (several board members said more specific grading rules belong in superintendent’s rules rather than policy), the board voted to accept the revised Policy 12‑70 (as amended) and Policy 52‑10. The roll calls were recorded and both policies were adopted.
Ending: Board members asked the Policy Review Committee and staff to continue refining implementation guidance and suggested distributing clearer summaries of policy changes to the public after approval.