Ways to Opt Out

Parents and guardians are an important part of a child’s educational career. FCPS values parental partnership, input, and feedback. If parents or guardians have any concern about content, text, or subject matter please reach out to your child’s teacher and administrator. They are poised and ready to work with you in the best interest of your student. 

Family Life Opt Out

Frederick County Public Schools supports your efforts to raise happy, healthy children. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your child(ren)’s classroom teacher, school counselor, and/or Principal. Students who do not have permission to participate in the family life unit will be provided alternate assignments and typically will complete the alternate work  in a different setting. 

Library and Textbook Parent Preferences

FCPS is committed to systematically building school library collections that encourage a love of reading, are aligned to national and state guidelines, and adhere to local policies and regulations. Parents can manage their child’s library book selections through the Parent Preference lists. Foundational textbooks and supplemental textbooks used as a part of instruction go through a rigorous review process including two weeks of public display to ensure parents and the community have input and can share their feedback. For more details on Library books and Textbooks for Review see the links below.

  • Our Library Media Services page shows how parents can manage their child's library book preferences.

  • Our Textbooks for Review page also describes how FCPS presents textbooks to the community for review and comment.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Every other year the Maryland State Department of Education in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, conducts a Maryland Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) and a Youth Tobacco Risk (YTRS) Survey. Parents have multiple opportunities to opt their child out of the survey. 

  1. In a survey year, two weeks after school starts, all secondary students receive a message about opting out of the survey. 
  2. When a school is identified to receive the survey, every student in the school receives another message about opting out of the survey. 
  3. When the specific class is identified to take the survey all students in the course receive a third opt out opportunity. 
  4. All of the YRBS and YTRS opt out forms are always available on the FCPS YRBS website for parents to access at any time. 

For more information and and resources, please see our Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey & Youth Tobacco Survey page.