Parents' Rights
The Board of Education recognizes that parents are the primary educators of their
children and that each child's maximum potential can best be achieved through a strong
home and school partnership. Parents, and those in parental relationship to students, as
partners in education, have certain rights and responsibilities.
All Parents Shall Have The Following Rights:
I. THE RIGHT TO A FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN
A free public school education is a
basic right guaranteed to all children
Parents have the right to:
- have their child, regardless of place of birth, receive a free, public school education
from kindergarten until age 21, or receipt of a high school diploma, whichever comes
first, as provided by law
- have a child with a disability evaluated and, if found to be in need of special
education, receive a free, appropriate education from age 3 through age 21, in accordance
with applicable law and regulations
- have a child who is limited English proficient provided with educational services as
required by law and regulations
- have their child receive his or her full instructional schedule in accordance with the
school calendar adopted annually by the Board of Education and related Chancellor's
regulations
- have their child receive educational services in a safe and supportive learning
environment, free of discrimination, harassment and bigotry
- have their child accorded all the rights set forth in the Board of Education's Bill of
Student Rights and Responsibilities
II. THE RIGHT TO BE GIVEN ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The Board of Education and its
schools have the responsibility to provide parents with access to available information on
educational programs and opportunities, as well as their child's education records.
Parents have the right to:
- be given access to current information regarding services which are provided by the
school system, eligibility requirements for these services, and how to apply for them
(i.e. transportation, food services, health services, bilingual instruction, remediation,
special education services, etc.)
- be provided with information concerning expectations for their children with respect to
the educational program, attendance and behavior
- be provided with information regarding the grading criteria that will be used to
evaluate their child's academic performance in accordance with Chancellor's Regulation
A-225
- be given access to information concerning their child's instructional program
- be assured of the confidentiality of their child's records, in accordance with
Chancellor's Regulation A-820
- inspect and review their child's education records, to have them explained by designated
school staff on request, to obtain copies of these records, and to request that records be
released or transmitted to an outside agency, in accordance with Chancellor's Regulation
A-820
- be informed of any derogatory entries made in their child's records within fifteen
school days following the date on which the incident leading to the entry became known, in
accordance with Chancellor's Regulation A-820
- be provided with information regarding all school district policies and regulations
which require parent consultation at the school and/or district level
- be provided with information regarding approved procedures for seeking changes in
school/district policies
III. THE RIGHT TO BE ACTIVELY SUPPORTED IN THEIR EFFORT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE
EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN</p>
Parents have the right to be
afforded every available opportunity for meaningful participation in their child's
education.
Parents have the right to:
- be treated with courtesy and respect by all school personnel, and to be accorded all
rights without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual
orientation, disability or economic status
- participate in appropriate consultation and communication with teachers and other school
staff and share concerns regarding their child's academic, social and behavioral progress
- visit their child's school to meet with his or her child's teacher and principal at
mutually agreeable times
- participate in meaningful parent-teacher conferences, to discuss their child's progress
in school in accordance with Chancellor's Regulation A-552
- be regularly informed of their child's progress in school
- be informed if their child experiences academic or behavioral difficulties.
- be encouraged and assisted to participate effectively in governance and educational
decision making
- be accompanied by a friend, advisor, or interpreter at all hearings, conferences,
interviews and other meetings concerning their child, including presuspension conferences
- be provided, if they are hearing impaired, with an interpreter at any meeting or
activity which they attend which is specific to the academic and or disciplinary aspects
of their child's educational program, provided a written request is made prior to the
meeting or activity; if an interpreter is unavailable, other reasonable accommodations
shall be made
- expect that school staff will make every reasonable attempt to ensure that parents
receive important notices from the school, such as notices concerning parent/teacher
conferences, open school week. Parent Association notices, etc.
- be a member of the Parent or Parent/Teacher Association of his or her child's school,
without the payment of dues
- be provided with a copy of the Board of Education's policy statement "Parent Associations and the Schools," the "Blue Book," and with a copy of the statement of
"Parents' Rights and Responsibilities," upon registering their child for school,
and, thereafter, upon request
- participate on school committees, in accordance with the guidelines which apply to those
committees
- be represented on consultative committees established by the Chancellor and the Board of
Education
- be a candidate and vote in Community School Board elections, in accordance with
applicable law
- attend all meetings of the Community School Board and of the Board of Education which
are open to the public, in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings Law
(Sunshine Law)
- speak at public meetings of the Community School Board and of the Board of Education, in
accordance with established procedures
IV. THE RIGHT TO FILE COMPLAINTS AND
APPEALS
Parents have the right to follow
appropriate procedures to pursue complaints or appeal educational decisions impacting on
their child.
Parents have the right to:
- appeal any entry in their child's records on the grounds that it is inaccurate,
misleading, or in violation of the child's privacy or other
rights, and request that such records be amended, in accordance with Chancellor's
Regulation A-820
- follow applicable procedures for filling complaints or appealing decisions which they
believe violate their own or their child's rights
All Parents Shall Have The Following Responsibilities:
- to send his or her child to school ready to learn
- to ensure that their child attends school regularly
- to be aware of their child's work, progress and problems by talking to the child about
school, by looking at the child's work and progress reports, and by meeting with school
staff
- to maintain continuing contact with their child's teachers and principal about the
progress of their child's education
- to respond to communications from their child's school
- to attend all meetings and conferences requested by the school pertaining to their child
- to treat all school staff members with courtesy and respect
Parents Should Also:
- provide a supportive home
setting for learning
- reinforce at home the importance of acquiring the knowledge, skills and values needed to
function effectively in society
- volunteer time, skills or resources when needed and possible
- take part in school and community programs that empower parents to participate in making
educational decisions
- become active members of their child's school's parent association
- hold their child responsible for the work, attendance, and behavior which is expected by
the school, and to teach respect for the person, the property, the safety, and the rights
of others
- encourage those behaviors one wishes to see in one's children
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