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Parental Rights Policy draft

Opportunity to provide feedback on draft Parental Rights Policy

The legislature passed IC 33-6001, Parental Rights in Education, during the 2023 session. The legislation requires that schools adopt a parental rights policy. Our school board has an Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) membership and a subscription to their policy service. Many schools in the state are members and utilize their policy service, as well. The ISBA drafted a parental rights policy according to the state legislation, and many schools have reviewed and adopted it for themselves as it covers everything in the law. The draft policy below is the ISBA policy with minor updates to fit a charter school rather than a traditional public school. Please review the draft policy and enter any feedback you have below. You can also review the legislation here: Section 33-6001 – Idaho State Legislature
1.
501.1 PARENTAL RIGHTS (DRAFT POLICY)


The Board of Directors encourages parents/guardians to be involved in their student’s school activities and academic progress. As required by IC 33-6001, the Charter reinforces the rights and responsibilities of parents as primary stakeholders to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their child.

The Board is mandated to adhere to laws, rules, and regulations including the Constitution of the State of Idaho; the rules of the Idaho State Board of Education (Idaho Administrative Procedures Act); the rules and regulations of the Idaho State Department of Education; the laws, rules, and regulations of the federal government and the U.S. Department of Education; as well as educational provisions outlined in the Idaho Code. These mandates include the requirement stated at Article IX, Section 1 of the Idaho Constitution that it is “. . . the duty of the Legislature of Idaho to maintain a general, uniform[,] and thorough system of public, free common schools.”

Based upon the above provisions, as well as the State’s mandated requirements for advancement and graduation, the Charter has established its practices, policies, and procedures as well as the approved curriculum and assessment program. Failure to follow the School’s practices, policies, and procedures as well as the School’s curriculum and assessment program amounts to the Charter's violation of State and/or federal laws, rules, and regulations by the Charter, including but not limited to the failure to provide a general, thorough, free, and uniform system of public education as well as putting the School’s operations and funding in jeopardy.

Parents/guardians and students are expected to abide by the Charter, policies, and procedures governing the operation of the schools which are required by various State and/or federal laws, rules, and regulations. However, a student's parent/guardian has the right to reasonable academic accommodation if the accommodation does not substantially impact School staff and resources, including employee working conditions, safety, and supervision on school premises for school activities, and the efficient allocation of expenditures. The Charter will strive to balance the rights of parents/guardians, the educational needs of other students, the academic and behavioral impacts to a classroom, teachers’ workloads, and the assurance of the safe and efficient operations of the school.

If a parent/guardian has an objection to the Charter's implementation of various mandates through the School’s practices, policies, and procedures, or if a parent/guardian would like to request reasonable academic accommodation, the appropriate avenue for the parent/guardian is to first seek to address such concerns through communication with the school's administration. Should that avenue not resolve the situation, a parent/guardian is free to address such concerns with the Board of Directors in conformance with Board policy regarding public participation at Board meetings.

(draft policy continued below)
2.
A parent/guardian who has an objection to their child’s participation in the Charter's adopted curriculum and/or the School’s implementation of practices, policies, and procedures in accordance with educational mandates on the basis that it harms the child or impairs the parent/guardian's firmly held beliefs, values, or principles, may withdraw their child from the activity, class, or program. Except in the case of sex education curriculum, a parent/guardian who chooses to not have their child participate in the provided educational activity, shall be responsible for identification and provision of non-disruptive alternative educational activities for their child during any time of objection, at no cost to the Charter. The final decision as to the placement of such alternative educational activity shall be at the discretion of the Charter, with input of the parent, consistent with the requirements for advancement and graduation and consistent with the reasonable accommodation requirements outlined above.

Access to Learning Materials
Parents/guardians are entitled to review all learning materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of their student's classroom. Parents/guardians can request access to learning materials by contacting the school’s administration during school hours.

Student Wellbeing
If a member of the Charter's staff becomes aware of a change in the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being, the staff member shall report this change so the student's parent/guardian can be notified as described in this policy.

Addressing Parent/Guardian Concerns
A parent/guardian who feels the Charter has violated their rights, as described in this policy and otherwise provided in IC 33-6001 may file a grievance as described in Board Policy 505.0 Uniform Grievance Procedure.

Notice
The Charter shall annually provide parents/guardians with notice of their rights as specified in this policy.

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