MCPS Propose Policy Change Impacting Field Trips and Student Organization Trips

10/27/2026 10:42 pm

We want to bring to your attention proposed changes to MCPS Policy IPD, which governs field trips and student organization trips, and encourage families review the proposed policy and submit comments by October 30.

Several proposed changes could affect experiences students look forward to:

• Celebratory and reward trips: The proposal removes the provision allowing trips that celebrate students’ promotion to the next school level or motivate and reward students, with appropriate approval.
• Activities requiring waivers: The draft prohibits activities that require student waivers as a condition of participation. Families should consider whether this could affect trips their schools currently offer. 

The draft also strengthens nondiscrimination protections, requires signed parental permission, establishes additional approval and safety review for international trips, and restricts staff use of MCPS resources to promote unsanctioned trips or trips involving personal gain.

The requirement that any activity that requires a waiver would be prohibited for field trip would particularly affect Ashburton. Ashburton has many activities that are not necessarily high risk still require participation waivers. For example, the KID Museum (a regular Ashburton field trip opportunity) requires a participation waiver. 

These changes are still proposals. Your feedback can help shape the final policy!