Policy 5020 - Parent Rights and Responsibilities

Parent Rights and Responsibilities

Rule 5020

Last Revised 06/03/2003

The rights of parents/guardians of district students include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. To observe, within a reasonable period of time after making the request, the classroom(s) in which their child is enrolled or for the purpose of selecting the school in which their child will be enrolled.
   
   Parents/guardians may observe instructional and other school activities that involve their child in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulations adopted to ensure the safety of students and staff, prevent undue interference with instruction or harassment of school staff, and provide reasonable accommodation to parents/guardians. Upon written request by parents/guardians, the Superintendent or designee shall arrange for parental observation of a class or activity in a reasonable time frame and in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulations.
    
2. To meet, within a reasonable time of their request, with their child’s teacher(s) and the principal of the school in which their child is enrolled.
    
3. Under the supervision of district employees, to volunteer their time and resources for the improvement of school facilities and school programs, including, but not limited to, providing assistance in the classroom with the approval and adherence to Board Policy 1240, and under the direct supervision, of the teacher.
    
4. If absences are not cleared within a reasonable period of time, parents are to be notified.
    
5. To receive the results of their child’s performance and the school’s performance on standardized tests and statewide tests.
   
   For parents/guardians of English learners, this right shall include the right to receive the results of their child’s performance on the English language development test.
    
6. To request a particular school for their child and to receive a response from the district.
    
7. To have a school environment for their child that is safe and supportive of learning.
    
8. To examine the curriculum materials of the class(es) in which their child is enrolled.
   
   Parents/guardians may inspect in a reasonable time frame, all primary supplemental instructional materials and assessments stored by the classroom teacher, including textbooks, teacher’s manuals, films, tapes and software.
   
   Each school site shall make available to parents/guardians and others, upon request, a copy of the prospectus for each course, including the titles, descriptions and instructional aims of the course. The school may charge an amount not to exceed the cost of duplication.
    
9. To be informed of their child’s progress in school and of the appropriate school personnel whom they should contact if problems arise with their child.
    
10. For parents/guardians of English learners, to support their child’s advancement toward literacy.
    
    The Superintendent or designee may make available, to the extent possible, surplus or undistributed instructional materials to parents/guardians pursuant to Education Code 60510.
     
11. For parents/guardians of English learners, to be informed, through the school accountability report card, about statewide and local academic standards, testing programs, accountability measures and school improvement efforts.
     
12. To have access to the school records of their child.
     
13. To receive information concerning the academic performance standards, proficiencies or skills their child is expected to accomplish.
     
14. To be informed in advance about school rules, including disciplinary rules and procedures in accordance with Education Code 48980, attendance policies, dress codes and procedures for visiting the school.
     
15. To be notified, as early in the school year as practicable, if their child is identified as being at risk of retention and of their right to consult with school personnel responsible for a decision to promote or retain their child and to appeal such a decision.
     
16. To receive information about any psychological testing the school does involving their child and to deny permission to give the test.
     
17. To refuse to submit or to participate in any assessment, analysis, evaluation or monitoring of the quality or character of the student’s home life; any form of parental screening or testing; any nonacademic home-based counseling program; parent training; or any prescribed family education service plan and to inspect any survey collecting personal information.
     
18. To participate as a member of a parent advisory committee, school site council or site-based management leadership team in accordance with any rules and regulations governing membership in these organizations.
    
    For parents/guardians of English learners, this right shall include the right to participate in school and district advisory bodies in accordance with federal and state law and regulations.
     
19. To question anything in their child’s record that the parent/guardian feels is inaccurate or misleading or is an invasion of privacy and to receive a response from the school.
     
20. To provide informed, written parental consent before their child is tested for a behavioral, mental, or emotional evaluation. A general consent, including medical consent used to approve admission to or involvement in, a special education or remedial program or regular school activity, shall not constitute written consent for these purposes.

The Superintendent or designee shall obtain informed written parental consent before testing any student for a behavioral, mental or emotional evaluation. A general consent, including medical consent used to approve admission to or involvement in, a special education or remedial program or regular school activity, shall not constitute written consent for these purposes.

All students have the legal right to obtain confidential medical care or confidential counseling related to the diagnosis or treatment of a drug- or alcohol-related problem, or mental health treatment or counseling, without the consent of his/her parent/guardian from the age of 12.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that district staff understand the rights of parents/guardians afforded by law and Board policy and follow acceptable practices that respect those rights.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that parents/guardians receive notification regarding their rights in accordance with law.

School officials or law enforcement officials have the authority to investigate or intervene in cases of suspected child abuse.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents/guardians may support the learning environment of their children by:

1. Monitoring attendance of their children
2. Ensuring that homework is completed and turned in on time
3. Encouraging their children to participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities
4. Monitoring and regulating the television, internet, films, and other audiovisual media viewed by their children
5. Working with their children at home in learning activities that extend the classroom learning
6. Volunteering in their children’s classroom(s) or for other school activities
7. Participating in decisions related to the education of their own children or the total school program as appropriate