• Pinellas County School Board
    Parental Rights in Education - Policy 5500.015

     

    Book: Pinellas County Schools Bylaws and Policies 

    Section: Chapter 5000 - Students  

    Title: Code of Conduct - Parental Rights 

    Code: 5500.015 

    Status: Active 

    Adopted: March 22, 2022 

     

    Federal and State laws afford parents certain rights relating to the education of their children in public schools. This policy describes some of those rights, promotes parental involvement, and is adopted in compliance with the Florida Parents’ Bill of Rights. For purposes of the law and this policy, the term “parent” means a person who has legal custody of a minor child as either the natural or adoptive parent, or as the legal guardian. 

    The School Board and District have developed policies, procedures, and practices to support strong, continuing family and community involvement in all aspects of school programs and activities. The resources described in the specific topic areas below represent the information most applicable to the topic areas discussed, but are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all resources that address these topics. 

    (a)  Pursuant to s. 1002.23, F.S. (the Family and School Partnership for Student Achievement Act), the District maintains plans for parental participation in schools to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, school attendance, and discipline. Such plans are located in the Code of Student Conduct, including in the “PCS Parent Communication & Engagement Expectations” and the “Get Engaged in Education” sections. Schools may create additional site-specific plans, and parents may inquire with their schools about these. The Code of Student Conduct may be found on the District’s website (www.pcsb.org) under the “About Us” or “Families” tab.  

    (b)  Pursuant to s. 1002.20(19)(b), F.S., the District maintains procedures for a parent to learn about their minor child’s course of study, including the source of any supplemental education materials. School Board Policy 2520 (“Instructional Materials, Including Textbooks”) contains these procedures, and the School Board Policy Manual can be found on the District’s website (www.pcsb.org) under the “About Us” or “School Board” tab. In addition, the District’s website discusses several curricular topics under the “Site Shortcuts” tab by navigating to “Curriculum.” Parents may also learn about this topic through the District’s single sign-on student information system accessible to parents by reviewing their child’s courses and the materials posted by the teacher and/or school. Parents will also receive a syllabus or course of study from teachers or the school near the beginning of each semester. Ultimately, questions about specific materials may be directed to the child’s teacher and/or the school Principal. 

    (c)  Pursuant to s. 1006.28(2)(a)2., F.S., the District maintains procedures for a parent to object to instructional materials and other materials used in the classroom. Such objections may be based on beliefs regarding morality, sex, and religion or the belief that such materials are harmful. For purposes of this policy, the term “instructional materials” has the same meaning as in s. 1006.29(2), F.S. School Board Policy 2520 (“Instructional Materials, Including Textbooks”) contains these procedures. In addition, the District’s website discusses several curricular topics under the “Site Shortcuts” tab by navigating to “Curriculum” and more information about this topic may be found there. 

    (d)  The District honors parents’ rights, pursuant to s. 1002.20(3)(d), F.S., to withdraw their minor child from any portion of the District’s comprehensive health education required under s. 1003.42(2)(n), F.S., that relates to sex education or instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome education or any instruction regarding sexuality if the parent provides a written objection to their minor child’s participation. Parents may make such election by contacting their child’s school Principal, and will be notified in advance of such course content so that they may make such an election. Further, the District’s website discusses several curricular topics under the “Site Shortcuts” tab by navigating to “Curriculum” and more information about this topic may be found there. 

    (e)  The District adheres to s. 1006.195(1)(a), F.S., and communicates information regarding clubs and activities offered at schools. This communication is accomplished through the Code of Student Conduct and information shared at the school level through school websites and/or other school-specific communications to parents. 

    (f)  Parents may learn more about parental rights and responsibilities under general law, specifically including the following laws and rights, by reviewing the District and school websites. If the websites do not provide the information sought, parents may contact their child’s school Principal for more information. The Principal may refer the parent to another District employee based upon the subject matter. If the parent does not receive the information from the Principal or any person identified by the Principal, then the parents should contact the Area Superintendent/Chief with supervision over the school. The listing of schools and their applicable Area Superintendents/Chief can be found here:  https://www.pcsb.org/Page/6037. 

    1.  Pursuant to s. 1002.20(3)(d), F.S., parents have the right to opt their minor child out of any portion of the District’s comprehensive health education required under s. 1003.42(2)(n), F.S., that relates to sex education instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome education or any instruction regarding sexuality. The District’s website discusses several curricular topics under the “Site Shortcuts” tab by navigating to “Curriculum” and more information about this topic may be found there. 

    2.  The District shares information with parents about school choice options, including open enrollment, pursuant to s. 1002.20(6), F.S., through direct parent contact, local media, and its website, www.pcsb.org, by navigating to the “Families” tab and then to “Enrollment.” 

    3.  Pursuant to s. 1002.20(3)(b), F.S., parents have the right to exempt their minor child from immunizations required by law for public school attendance. Parents with questions or a desire to explore an exemption should contact their child’s school nurse first, and then the school Principal if the nurse does not provide the information. 

    4.  Pursuant to s. 1008.22, F.S., parents have the right to review statewide, standardized assessment results. Individual student’s assessment results may be viewed in the District’s single sign-on student information system by parents using their log-in information. School-level and District-level assessment results may be viewed on the Florida Department of Education’s website (www.fldoe.org) under the “Accountability” tab. 

    5.  Pursuant to s. 1003.57, F.S., parents have the right to seek eligibility for gifted programs and other exception student education programs. Questions regarding such eligibility may be directed to the school Principal. 

    6.  Pursuant to s. 1006.28(2)(a)1., F.S., parents have the right to inspect school district instructional materials, and the District maintains a list on its website as required by law. Parents may access this list on the District’s website under the “Site Shortcuts” tab by navigating to “Curriculum.” From there, parents should navigate to “Curriculum Review and Adoption of Instructional Materials” to find the list. 

    7.  Pursuant to s. 1008.25, F.S., parents have the right to access information relating to the District’s policies for promotion or retention, including high school graduation requirements. This information can be accessed by reviewing School Board policies 5410 through 5465. 

    8.  Pursuant to s. 1002.20(14), F.S., parents have the right to receive a school report card and be informed of their minor child’s attendance requirements. Current and summative grades and attendance can be found in the District’s single sign-on student information system accessible to parents. 

    9.  Pursuant to s. 1002.23, F.S., parents have the right to access information relating to the state public education system, state standards, report card requirements, attendance requirements, and instructional materials requirements. School Board Policy 2520 (“Instructional Materials, Including Textbooks”) discusses instructional materials. In addition, the District’s website discusses several curricular topics under the “Site Shortcuts” tab by navigating to “Curriculum.” Parents may also learn about these topics through the District’s single sign-on student information system accessible to parents by reviewing their child’s courses and the materials posted by the teacher and/or school, and by reviewing grade and attendance information. Ultimately, questions about these issues may be directed to the child’s teacher and/or the school Principal. 

    10.  Pursuant to s. 1002.23(4), F.S., parents have the right to participate in parent-teacher associations and organizations that are sanctioned by a School Board or the Department of Education. Information regarding these opportunities, including school advisory councils, can be viewed on each school’s website. 

    11.  Pursuant to s. 1002.222(1)(a), F.S., neither the School Board nor the District engages in any District-level collection of data or information regarding the political affiliation, voting history, religious affiliation, or biometric information of a student. 

    Notwithstanding any statutory or legal authority to the contrary, any employee of the district may be subject to disciplinary action if the employee encourages, coerces, or attempts to encourage or coerce, a minor child to withhold information from the minor child’s parent.  

    This policy does not authorize a parent of a minor child to engage in conduct that is unlawful or to abuse or neglect their minor child in violation of general law.  See, e.g., School Board Policy 8462 (“Student Abuse and Neglect”). Parental rights do not prohibit or impede child welfare activities, or any other statutory or legal duties or rights, when performed by a court of competent jurisdiction, law enforcement officers, or employees of a government agency. 

    F.S. 1014.05