Procedures for Parents to Notify School of Concerns Relating to Parental Rights in Education

  • Parents or guardians have a right to raise concerns regarding a school’s compliance with HB 1557 - Parental Rights in Education. The following is a summary of the concerns that may be raised under the Parental Rights in Education (F.S. 1001.42 (8)(c) but the entire bill can be found at: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1557/BillText/er/PDF 

    • The required notice regarding a change in the student's services or monitoring related to the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being and the school's ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the student. 

    • The requirement for School District personnel to encourage a student to discuss issues related to their well-being with their parent(s). 

    • The prohibition against School District personnel prohibiting or discouraging parental notification of and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being. 

    • The prohibition of classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, or in other grades in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate, in accordance with State standards. 

    • The requirement that student support services training adhere to student services guidelines, standards, and frameworks established by the Florida Department of Education. 

    • The requirement that, at the beginning of each school year, the District notify parents of each healthcare service offered at their child's school and of the option to withhold consent or decline any specific service. 

    • The requirement that the District provide a copy of a well-being questionnaire or health screening form to the parent and obtain the permission of the parent before administering the questionnaire or health screening form to a student in kindergarten through grade 3. 

    Steps for Raising and Responding to a Parent Concern 

    Step One. In order to raise a concern about any of the issues listed above, the parent or guardian must first summarize the nature of the concern in writing specifically describing the factual issues using the following Parent Concern Link (Step One).

    A school administrator will respond and attempt to resolve the concern within seven (7) days of receipt of the notification.  

    Step Two. If a parent or guardian believes the concern is not resolved by the Principal, they may then notify the School District in writing, again describing the nature of the concern and the reason the Principal’s proposed resolution failed to address the concern.  This notification should be made using the following. Parent Concern Link (Step Two). Within 30 days after receipt of the notification, the District will either resolve the concern or provide a statement of the reasons for not resolving the concern.