Administrative Regulation

AR 5020

Students

Parent Rights And Responsibilities

Parent Rights

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 (Education Code 51101)

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. (Education Code 49091.10)

(cf. 1250 - Visitors/Outsiders)

(cf. 3515.2 - Disruptions)

(cf. 6116 - Classroom Interruptions)

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 (Education Code 51101)

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 under the direct supervision, of the teacher (Education Code 51101)

4. To be notified on a timely basis if their child is absent from school without permission (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses)

5. To receive the results of their child's performance and the school's performance on standardized tests and statewide tests (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 0500 - Accountability)

(cf. 0510 - School Accountability Report Card)

(cf. 6162.5 - Student Assessment)

6. To request a particular school for their child and to receive a response from the district (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 5116.1 - Intradistrict Open Enrollment)

(cf. 5117 - Interdistrict Attendance)

7. To have a school environment for their child that is safe and supportive of learning (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)

(cf. 3515 - Campus Security)

(cf. 5131 - Conduct)

(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)

(cf. 5142 - Safety)

8. To examine the curriculum materials of the class(es) in which their child is enrolled (Education Code 51101)

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. (Education Code 49091.10)

Each school site shall make available to parents/guardians and others, upon request, a copy of the course description, including the titles, descriptions and instructional aims of the course. (Education Code 49091.14)

The school may charge an amount not to exceed the cost of duplication. (Education Code 49091.14)

(cf. 1312.2 - Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials)

(cf. 6141 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation)

(cf. 6142.1 - Family Life/Sex Education)

(cf. 6142.2 - AIDS Prevention Instruction)

(cf. 6161.1 - Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Materials)

(cf. 6161.11 - Supplementary Instructional Materials)

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 (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)

(cf. 5123 - Promotion/Acceleration/Retention)

(cf. 5124 - Communication with Parents/Guardians)

10. To have access to the school records of their child (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 5125 - Student Records)

(cf. 5125.1 - Release of Directory Information)

11. To receive information concerning the academic performance standards, proficiencies or skills their child is expected to accomplish (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)

(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)

(cf. 6146.4 - Differential Graduation and Competency Standards for Students with Disabilities)

(cf. 6146.5 - Elementary/Middle School Graduation Requirements)

12. To be informed in advance about school rules, attendance policies, dress codes and procedures for visiting the school (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 5132 - Dress and Grooming)

(cf. 5144 - Discipline)

13. To receive information about any psychological testing the school does involving their child and to deny permission to give the test (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 5145.1 - Privacy)

(cf. 6164.4 - Identification of Individuals for Special Education)

(cf. 6164.6 - Identification and Education Under Section 504)

14. 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. (Education Code 49091.18)

15. 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 (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 0420 - School Plans/Site Councils)

(cf. 0420.5 - School-Based Decision Making)

(cf. 0420.2 - School Improvement Program)

(cf. 0420.3 - School-Based Student Motivation and Maintenance Program)

(cf. 0420.5 - School-Based Decision Making)

(cf. 1220 - Citizen Advisory Committees)

(cf. 6171 - Title I Programs)

(cf. 6175 - Migrant Education Program)

16. 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 (Education Code 51101)

(cf. 5125.3 - Challenging Student Records)

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. (Education Code 49091.12)

All students shall have the 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. (Education Code 49091.12)

(cf. 5131.6 - Alcohol and Other Drugs)

(cf. 5141.3 - Health Examinations)

(cf. 6164.2 - Guidance/Counseling Services)

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.

(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)

(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)

(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)

In addition, the Superintendent or designee shall provide interested parents/guardians with opportunities to participate in professional development programs offered at the school in which their child is enrolled. (Education Code 44670.5)

(cf. 4131.6/4231.6/4331.6 - Professional Development Program)

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

(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)

School officials or law enforcement officials have the authority to investigate or intervene in cases of suspected child abuse, (Education Code 49091.12)

(cf. 5141.4 - Child Abuse Reporting Procedures)

Parent Responsibilities

Parents/guardians may support the learning environment of their children by: (Education Code 51101)

1. Monitoring attendance of their children

2. Ensuring that homework is completed and turned in on time

(cf. 6154 - Homework/Makeup Work)

3. Encouraging their children to participate in extracurricular and cocurricular activities

(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)

4. Monitoring and regulating the television 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

(cf. 1240 - Volunteer Assistance)

7. Participating in decisions related to the education of their own children or the total school program as appropriate

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: March 8, 2001 Palso Verdes Estates, California