Family Involvement
This is the Web version of a
document developed by the California Department of Education in response to
California law that specifies the legal rights of parents to participate in
their children's education (Chapter 864, Statutes of 1998).
In a democracy parents and
guardians are encouraged and welcomed to become involved in the formal education
of their children enrolled in public schools. This early and consistent parental
involvement helps children to do well academically. When this involvement is
combined with a partnership between home and school, the student, the school,
and the community benefit.
Parents and guardians of
enrolled students have the right to be included in the educational process and
to have access to the system on behalf of their children. These rights are
outlined in Chapter 864, Statutes of 1998:
Education Code Section 51101(c)
notes: "This section may not be construed so as to authorize a school to inform
a parent or guardian, . . . or to permit participation by a parent or guardian
in the education of a child, if it conflicts with a valid restraining order,
protective order, or order for custody or visitation issued by a court of
competent jurisdiction." (Chapter 864, Statutes of 1998, Education Code Sections
51100 - 51102)
Classroom Observing
Parents have the right to
visit their child's classroom to observe activities. The time and date of the
visitation must be arranged in advance with the school.
Teacher Conferencing
Parents have the right to
request a conference with their child's teacher(s) or the principal. Parents
should contact the school to schedule a date and time convenient to all
participants.
Volunteering
Parents have the right to
volunteer their time and resources for the improvement of school facilities and
programs. Parents should contact the school to determine the terms and
conditions of this service.
Student Attendance
Parents have the right to be
notified in a timely manner if their child is absent from school without
permission.
Student Testing
Parents have the right to be
notified of their child's performance on standardized and state-wide tests and
the school's ranking on these tests. (Under other state law, parents may request
that their child not participate in the statewide tests.)
School Selection
Parents have the right to
request that their child be enrolled in any school in the district. The district
is not compelled to grant the request.
Safe School Environment
Parents have the right and
are entitled to the assurance of a safe and supportive learning environment for
their child.
Curriculum Materials
Parents have the right to
examine the curriculum materials of the class or classes in which their child is
enrolled.
Student Academic Progress
Parents have the right to be
informed of their child's academic progress in school and of the persons to
contact if they wish more information or assistance with their child.
Student Records
Parents have the right to
access their child's records and to question anything they feel is inaccurate or
misleading or an invasion of privacy. Parents have the right to a timely
response from the school district about their questions.
Standards
Parents have the right to
receive information regarding the academic standards their child is expected to
meet.
School Rules
Parents have the right to
receive written notification of school rules, attendance policies, dress codes,
and procedures for school visitations.
Psychological Testing
Parents have the right to
receive information on all psychological testing recommended for their child.
Councils and Committees
Parents have the right to
participate as a member of a parent advisory committee, school-site council, or
site-based management leadership team in accordance with established rules and
regulations for membership. Parents also have the right to attend at
least two meetings per year scheduled by the school to get information on school
issues and activities.
Policy Development
Parents and guardians have
the right and should be given the opportunity to work in a mutually supportive
and respectful partnership with the school to help their child succeed. The
governing board of each school district shall adopt a jointly created policy
that outlines how parents and guardians, school staff, and students may share
the responsibility for the intellectual, physical, emotional, social
development, and well-being of their students. This policy shall include, but is
not limited to:
-
How parents/guardians and the
school will help students to achieve academic and other standards.
-
How the school will provide
high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive learning environment to
all students enrolled.
-
What parents and guardians can
do to support their child's learning environment, including but not limited to:
Monitoring school attendance
Monitoring homework completion
Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities
Monitoring and regulating television viewing
Planning and participating in activities at home supportive of classroom
activities
Volunteering at school
Participating in decision-making processes at school
Beyond High School
In addition to the rights
described in Education Code Sections 51100-51102, students and parents have the
right to be informed of college entrance requirements. It is critically
important to know how to assist those students who choose to pursue a college
education.
Students and parents need to
know the series of college preparatory classes to take in high school. The
minimum requirements vary, depending on the selected college or university. The
a-g requirements noted below are submitted by the Regents of the University of
California and are, generally, the most rigorous:
-
An English class every semester
of every year for four years.
-
A mathematics class every
semester of every year for three years, including algebra and geometry. Four
years are recommended.
-
Two years of a laboratory
science beyond the ninth grade. An additional year is recommended.
-
Two years of history-social
science, which are to include U.S. government, world history, culture, and
geography.
-
Two years of the same language
other than English.
-
Two years of college preparatory
electives in addition to those required in "a-e" above.
-
One year of visual and
performing arts, effective for the entering class of 2003.
To gain admission to college,
students must also take and submit scores from either the Scholastic Aptitude
Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). Your child's high school
counseling office can provide the testing dates and locations.
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