The divisionwide student focus groups offer an opportunity for students to provide input to help inform the strategic plan.

How will the focus groups work?

The focus groups will include students from around FCPS as well as a trained facilitator: 

• Students in grades 3-6 will be invited from a sample of our elementary schools to attend two focus groups in-person:
  • Round 1: February 6, February 7, and February 8 (4:30-5:45 p.m.)
  • Round 2: March 13, March 14, and March 15 (4:30-5:45 p.m.)  
• Students in grades 7-12 received an invitation to self-nominate to participate in the focus groups. Selected participants will be selected via lottery:
  • Round 1: February 9 (3:30-5 p.m.; 5:30-7 p.m.)
  • Round 2: March 16 (3:30 - 5 p.m.; 5:30-7 p.m.)
• Parents/caregivers of students who participate in a focus group will be asked to sign a consent form:
  • Grades 3-6
  • Grades 7-12

Translated versions of consent forms are available below.

Does a student have to participate?

The focus group is optional. Even if a student agrees to participate in the group, the student may choose not to answer any question or stop participating in the focus group at any time.  

Where will the information from the focus groups be kept? How will the information be used?

All information from the focus groups will be shared with and analyzed by the company FCPS has hired

to help create the Strategic Plan, Performance Fact, Inc. (PFI). The focus group information will be saved within FCPS’ digital environment, where PFI and FCPS staff supporting the development of the new

Strategic Plan, will have direct access to the anonymous student responses. The data may be shared along with other people’s ideas with the community, so everyone understands each other’s views. 

Anything that is shared from students will be anonymous; no one will know which student said what or the names of students who were part of the focus groups.  

Questions? Please contact [email protected].