Dwyer Parents' Rights :

(Chapter 864, Statutes of 1998 Education Code Sections 51100 - 51102)

Family Involvement

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.

Classroom observing

Teacher conferencing

Volunteering

Student attendance

Student testing

School selection

Safe school environment

Curriculum materials

Student academic progress

Student records

Standards

School rules

Psychological testing

Councils and committees

Policy development

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 participates.

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 statewide 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 in 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

Parent 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.

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

Volunteering at school

Participating in decision-making processes at school

Resources & Information

To obtain information on parents' rights or family involvement issues, contact the Educational Partnerships Office, California department of Education, 721 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814, or call (916) 657-5342.

Beyond High School

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 parent 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.

a. An English class very semester of every year for four years.

b. A mathematics class every semester of every year for three years, including algebra and geometry. Four years are recommended.

c. Two years of a laboratory science beyond the ninth grade. An additional year is recommended.

d. Two years of history-social science, which are to include U.S. government, world history, culture, and geography.

e. Two years of the same language other than English.

f. Two years of college preparatory electives in addition to those in "a-e" ab0ve.

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.