Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is preparing to modernize its approach to creating and managing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) by rolling out an online system in the 2025-26 school year. This move aims to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and customization, addressing longstanding challenges faced by educators and parents.
Individualized Education Plans, commonly referred to as IEPs, are personalized programs tailored to meet the unique needs of students, particularly those with disabilities. These plans play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to education by outlining specific goals, accommodations, and services for each student.
The upcoming online system promises significant advancements, including a customizable interface, a parent portal for direct access to records, and built-in translation services. These features are designed to streamline processes and improve communication between families and schools.
FCPS issued a bid for the online service in February 2024. In August, the Frederick County Board of Education awarded the contract to Public Consulting Group (PCG), a Boston-based firm. The contract totals $1,353,500 over five years, covering licensing, maintenance, and support fees. According to the bid, the first year of the service will be funded through FCPS’ fiscal year 2025 operating budget. Future funding will depend on board approval of subsequent budgets.
The decision to partner with Public Consulting Group comes after the firm audited FCPS’ special education services. This audit was prompted by a 2020 U.S. Department of Justice investigation that found the district had systematically misused seclusion and physical restraint on students with disabilities.
Troy Keller, FCPS’ director of special education, specialized programs, and supports, highlighted the need for a user-friendly and efficient IEP system. When Keller joined the district in 2020, special education teachers expressed concerns about the existing system’s limitations.
“Our current system, which is managed by the Maryland State Department of Education, doesn’t allow for customization or changes to the way data is inputted,” Keller explained. “That was the ultimate ask, that regardless of what company we work with, we want to be able to customize it for our teachers and all of our staff who input IEPs.”
The new system will reduce the time and effort required to input data into IEPs. “The time it takes teachers to input information will decrease because we will learn how to make it efficient,” Keller said, emphasizing how advancements in technology have expanded options for creating IEPs.
The parent portal will allow families to access their child’s IEP records and progress reports in real-time. “They’ll be able to maintain those records in a digital fashion,” Keller said. Translation services will also be automated, a significant improvement over the current process, which involves manual translation through an FCPS translator or a third party.
“Whereas now, it will be completely automated, and they will get it the same day they have the IEP,” Keller noted.
FCPS is currently gathering feedback from stakeholders and plans to finalize details in the spring before launching the system. The bidding process for the project saw submissions from five companies. PowerSchool Group, a California-based education technology firm, offered a bid of $684,912 over five years. However, their proposal included additional costs for training, data conversion, and per-plan distribution fees.
Public Consulting Group’s bid stood out because it included these costs in the overall price, providing a more comprehensive and predictable financial model.
The online IEP initiative marks a significant step forward in improving special education services in Frederick County. By integrating customizable features, automated translations, and a user-friendly parent portal, the new system will better meet the needs of students, families, and educators alike.
Individualized Education Plans are essential tools in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the support they need to succeed. With this online platform, FCPS is demonstrating its commitment to equity and accessibility. The district’s proactive approach to modernizing its IEP system highlights the importance of adapting to the evolving needs of its community.
As FCPS continues to refine the system with input from stakeholders, the transition to an online platform promises to bring lasting benefits for years to come.
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