For Families
This page contains important information about transition planning, testing accommodations, and community support services. If you have questions about anything here, please don't hesitate to reach out.
🎓 MCPS Regional & Countywide Application Programs (Grades 9-11)
Current MCPS students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 may be eligible to apply for a variety of regional and countywide academic, career, technical, and leadership programs for the 2027-2028 school year.
Programs include opportunities such as:
Thomas Edison High School of Technology
Early College at Montgomery College
Jump Start to College
Apprenticeship Maryland
Electrical Apprenticeship
STEM Ready
Fire Science & Rescue
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
JROTC Programs
Visual Arts Center
Cybersecurity and other Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways
Applications are expected to open in early October 2026 and are due by November 6, 2026. Many programs also offer parent/student information sessions throughout October.
📋 MCPS Regional & Countywide Programs Overview
📝 Application Link (will be updated by October 6)
Families interested in exploring specialized academic, college, career, technical, or apprenticeship opportunities are encouraged to review the program descriptions and eligibility requirements carefully, as they vary by program.
✿ ✿ ✿
Internship & Apprenticeship Opportunities — MCPS WBL Navigator (Kuder)
MCPS has partnered with Kuder to offer the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Navigator, a free platform that helps 11th and 12th grade students explore, apply for, and manage real-world internship, apprenticeship, and work experience opportunities with local employers. Students can browse available opportunities, track their progress, and build job search documents — all in one place.
Parents and guardians can create their own linked account through the Parent/Guardian Portal to view their student's education and graduation plans, career assessments, and WBL activity. Instructions for setting up the parent portal can be found here.
To access the MCPS WBL Navigator platform directly:
https://mcps.kuder.com/landing-page
For more information about Work-Based Learning at MCPS:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/work-based-learning/
Questions about work-based learning opportunities or how to get started? Reach out to me directly at marc_lawrence@mcpsmd.org or (240) 740-0400 ext. 1048.
✿ ✿ ✿
Thomas Edison High School of Technology
Thomas Edison High School of Technology offers hands-on career and technical education programs in fields such as automotive technology, construction, health professions, information technology, and hospitality management. These programs provide practical skills and certifications that can lead directly to employment after graduation.
Applications typically open in October and close in November, with decisions released in the spring. If your student is interested, I encourage you to apply early. I will send reminders as we get closer to the application window.
✿ ✿ ✿
Additional ALO Transition Resources
The following resource was created by a transition support colleague at another MCPS high school whose caseload focuses primarily on students on the Alternative Learning Outcomes (ALO) pathway. While the site was developed with a different school community in mind, some of the information and resources may be helpful for B-CC families navigating the ALO pathway as well.
ALO Transition Resources Site (Seneca Valley High School):
https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/svhs-alo-transition/
Please note: this site belongs to a colleague at another school. If you have any questions about the resources listed there or about your student's transition plan specifically, please contact me directly — not the site's author.
Marc Lawrence, Transition Support Teacher
marc_lawrence@mcpsmd.org | (240) 740-0400 ext. 1048
✿ ✿ ✿
Community Support Services
Beyond school-based supports, I can help connect your family with state and community agencies that may offer additional services to support your student's transition into adulthood:
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)— DORS is Maryland's state vocational rehabilitation agency. It helps people with disabilities prepare for and find employment through services like career counseling, job placement, vocational training, and college tuition support. For high school students, DORS offers Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), which can include career exploration, job shadowing, and work-based learning experiences.
The following links provide more information about DORS, Pre-ETS, Student Employment Services, and the Client Assistance Program:
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
Note: To make a referral for Pre-ETS through DORS, you must first sign a consent form and return to me which gives me permission to share details about your student with DORS.
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) — The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is a Maryland state agency that funds and coordinates services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services can include residential supports, day programs, employment assistance, and community participation. Unlike DORS, DDA is not focused solely on employment — it supports individuals across all areas of adult life. Eligibility is based on having a qualifying developmental disability, and there is often a waitlist, so it is important to apply early — ideally while the student is still in high school.
Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) — The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is a Maryland state agency that oversees mental health and substance use disorder services. It funds and coordinates a range of community-based supports including therapy, psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and recovery programs. For transition-age students with mental health needs, BHA-funded services can help bridge the gap between school-based supports and adult mental health care.
✿ ✿ ✿
College Board Testing Accommodations (PSAT, SAT, AP)
MCPS testing accommodations do not automatically transfer to College Board exams. To receive accommodations on College Board assessments, including the PSAT, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and AP Exams, families must submit a formal request through me as your student's SSD Coordinator, along with supporting documentation and a signed Parent Consent Form.
Because the approval process can take several weeks, I encourage families to begin as early as possible, ideally at the start of the school year.
2026-2027 Testing Dates:
PSAT/NMSQT (Grade 11): October 14, 2026
PSAT/NMSQT Makeup: October 29, 2026
PSAT (Grades 9 & 10): March 10, 2027
SAT School Day (Grade 11): March 23, 2027
SAT Makeup: TBD by MCPS
AP Exams: May 3-14, 2027
Families should be aware that accommodation requests must be reviewed and approved by the College Board before accommodations can be provided on College Board assessments. Early submission helps ensure that requests can be processed before testing deadlines.
For your convenience, the Parent Consent Form is available here.
If you have questions about College Board accommodations, eligibility, required documentation, or testing timelines, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am happy to assist families throughout the application process.
✿ ✿ ✿
ACT Accommodations
Students who plan to take the ACT must request accommodations separately through ACT — MCPS accommodations do not transfer. When registering for the ACT, please select Marc Lawrence as your student's Trusted Agent. This allows me to verify and submit the required documentation on your student's behalf.
Approved accommodations may include extended time, testing over multiple days, or other supports based on documented need. I will help ensure students receive appropriate support on test day once a decision is made.
Registration deadlines are typically five to six weeks before each test date. Late registration is available for an additional fee.
Please note: B-CC is not an ACT testing site. If your student chooses to take the ACT, you will have to identify an alternative testing site.
✿ ✿ ✿
MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL)
All MCPS students must earn 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours to meet Maryland's high school graduation requirement.
The MCPS Student Service Learning Website serves as the central hub for SSL information, including graduation requirements, approved volunteer opportunities, required forms, submission procedures, StudentVUE instructions, and SSL awards.
Students may earn SSL hours through approved in-person and virtual opportunities and may begin earning hours as early as the summer after 5th grade.
Looking for ways to earn SSL hours? This resource contains a regularly updated collection of volunteer opportunities available to B-CC students.
Students with questions about SSL hours, forms, deadlines, or approved activities should contact Ms. Claudia Yener, B-CC's SSL Coordinator.
✿ ✿ ✿
Transition Services and Graduation: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
This MCPS resource answers common questions families have about transition services and graduation pathways for students with IEPs. Topics include how transition planning works, the difference between a diploma and a Maryland High School Certificate, how graduation decisions are made by the IEP team, and what post-graduation options are available — including college, apprenticeships, and adult education programs.
✿ ✿ ✿
Questions? 📧 Marc_Lawrence@mcpsmd.org 📞 (240) 740-0400