by Katie Ng ‘25

MCPS has introduced new procedures for reporting and responding to hate-bias incidents, which MCPS considers as “any disruptive conduct (oral, written, graphic, physical, or electronic communication) that includes intentional discriminatory behavior based on personal characteristics.” MCPS will now respond to hate-bias incidents using a tiered system that consists of three levels based on intent, impact on school community, and criminal elements: level red, orange, and yellow incidents.

Level red and orange incidents are both serious incidents in which schools will contact the police. Level red incidents likely involve criminal offenses, require contacting involved students’ parents, and warrant sending a community letter. Level orange incidents may potentially impact the school community, which may warrant sending out a letter, but criminal elements are unlikely. Level yellow incidents are not serious incidents or considered hate-bias. They are handled through the Student Code of Conduct.

MCPS has made these adjustments due to an increase in hate-bias incidents. According to Moco360 and The Washington Post, from 2022 to 2023, these incidents increased by 200 percent, and 61 percent of the incidents reported were school-related. Many reports involved race; religion, including antisemitism; gender identity; and sexuality.