Parents Rights in Public Schools- Sixteen Rights (And Counting) Which Parents May Not Know They Have

California Education Code 51101 has a handy list of public school parents' rights neatly packaged for use when push comes to shove in California schools.  Some of these rights may come as a surprise to parents who are being denied a simple parent-teacher conference, can't get their child's records, are denied volunteer opportunities, were never given the school policies, or are having other difficulties in the public school environment.

Section 51101 affords the following rights to California public school parents (be advised this is an abbreviated list and is paraphrased):

1)  To be "mutually supportive and respectful partners" with the school.

2)  Within a reasonable time to observe their child's current classroom(s) and/or future classrooms if transferring.

3)  To meet with the teacher(s) or principal within a reasonable time of their request.

4)  To volunteer in the school or classroom, under supervision of school employees and with approval of the teacher (if volunteering in the classroom).

5)  To be notified if their child is absent on a timely basis.

6)  To receive the results of standardized and statewide tests.

7)  To request a particular school and receive a response.

8)  To have a safe environment supportive of learning.

9)  To examine curriculum materials of their child's classes.

10)  To be informed of their child's progress and whom the parent should contact if there are problems.

11)  To access their child's school records (see also Education Code 49069 which requires provision within 5 business days).

12)  To be provided with data regarding skills and standards their child is to meet.

13)  To be informed in advance of school rules, including discipline rules and procedures, attendance policies, dress codes, and procedures for visiting the school.

14)  To be informed regarding any psychological testing the school does and to refuse the testing.

15)  To participate in parent advisory committees, schoolsite councils, or site-based management leadership teams.

16)  To question anything in their child's records with which they disagree.

Now, parents, did you know you had all these rights????  Now go out and use them.

Best,

Michelle Ball
Education Law Attorney
LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL
717 K Street, Suite 228
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-9064
Fax: 916-444-1209
Website: http://www.edlaw4students.com/

Blog: http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/michelleaball

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EdLaw4Students

Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page [http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/]. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting, etc. etc.!  This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship.

How Do You Get Your Kids School Records Released?

School records created by a high school, elementary school, private school, or school district, can loom as an unknown for many parents.  One way to debunk the mystery is to make a yearly request for the pupil records to be released.

Per California Education Code section 49069, a parent has an absolute right to access their child's records.  This right also transfers to a student when they are 18 years old.

The code states as follows:

Parents of currently enrolled or former pupils have an absolute right to access to any and all pupil records related to their children that are maintained by school districts or private schools.  The editing or withholding of any of those records, except as provided for in this chapter, is prohibited.

What this means is that parents of students of all school levels may review, inspect, and receive copies of  records concerning their children.  

Districts are also commanded by this code section to develop procedures for parents to obtain student records.  These procedures should be outlined in the school board policies. 

Schools can charge a per page copy fee for any records provided, but cannot charge for the time of the staff gathering the records.  

Parents should request their child's records in writing at least once a year, quoting the relevant board policy or Education Code 49069.  Parents can be shocked at just what is contained in their child's files and need to watch them.

If the school or school district hassles a parent on provision or fails to provide the records, the parent should have an education attorney send the request.  

Best,

Michelle Ball
Education Law Attorney
LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL
717 K Street, Suite 228
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-9064
Fax: 916-444-1209
Website: http://www.edlaw4students.com/

Blog: http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/michelleaball

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EdLaw4Students

Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page [http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/]. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting, etc. etc.!  This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship.