Parents Right to Know Guidelines

Transcription

1 Parents Right to Know Guidelines Title I Schools Introduction All school districts are required to notify parents of ALL children in ALL Title I schools that they have the right to request and receive timely information on the professional qualifications of their children s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. This requirement applies to all children in the school whether or not they receive Title I services and all Title I schools, both targeted assistance and school wide. Procedures for Notification To ensure that parents receive the required notifications, Santa Rosa District Title I Schools will follow the following procedures. 1. All students in Title I schools will receive a copy of the Santa Rosa District Schools Family Guide. The Guide includes a Parents Right to Know announcement. 2. All Title I Schools will include the following information in the school s parent handbook and a minimum of one additional parent correspondence (i.e., school newsletter). The No Child Left Behind Act states that parents have the right to request information on the professional qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals at our school. To request information, contact the school administration office at. Upon this request, you will receive a detailed explanation of the certification, education and experience of each of our teachers. You will also receive information regarding he names and qualifications of the paraprofessionals at our school. 3. All Title I Schools will post the Parents Right to Know poster in an area visible to parents. 4. All Title I Schools will include the Parents Right to Know brochure in new student enrollment packets

2 When a Parent Requests Information When parent requests information on professional qualifications, schools must, at a minimum, report the following: 1. Whether the teacher has met state qualifying and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher is teaching; 2. Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status 3. The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, including the field of discipline of the certification or degree; and 4. Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. Use the sample Parent Right to Know Notification enclosed in this packet to provide the required information to parents. Highly Qualified Notification At any time during the school year, the school must notify parents if a child is assigned, or taught by, a teacher who is not highly qualified for four or more consecutive weeks. 1. The data processing department disseminates the first notification of each school year. a. Data processing completes a mail merge letter based on highly qualified coding entered into the management information system. b. A letter is generated for the parents/guardians of each student assigned to a teacher who is not highly qualified. c. Electronic copies of the letters are sent to each school. d. The school reproduces the letters using their own school letterhead, and disseminates the information to each family via U.S. mail. e. A copy of the letter is placed in the student cum folder. f. The Office of the Director of Federal Programs retains one electronic copy of each letter disseminated. 2. Subsequent notifications (to parents of a child is assigned, or taught by, a teacher who is not highly qualified who has been hired after the initial notification at the beginning of the school year) are completed at the school site EVERY 4 weeks after initial hire until the teacher has obtained the status of highly qualified. a. A copy of the notification is filed in each student s folder. b. A copy of the notification and the list of students receiving the notification are sent to the office of the Director of Federal Programs c. A copy of the notification and the list of students receiving the letter are filed in the Audit Box.

3 Parents Right-to-Know Assessment Results Requirements At the beginning of each school year, federal law requires schools and districts receiving federal funds to notify parents of particular components outlined in the law. What is the requirement? School Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Report - (SPAR) - plus supplemental AYP report District AYP Report What is this? School AYP reports are generated for each school in the state each year. These reports reflects the school s performance based on the year s state assessment results District AYP reports are generated for each district in the state each year. These reports reflect the district s overall performance based on the year s state assessment results. When should it be shared? Immediately after release Immediately after release Where can sample correspondence be found?

4 Parents Right to Know Information Packet (Available upon request from any parent/guardian of a child attending a Title I School) Dear Parents: Thank you so much for requesting information about our school. As always, we want to keep our parents informed on the quality education we deliver, and sharing staff qualifications is an excellent way to illustrate our commitment to our students. The staff at any school defines the education environment, and we are devoted to finding the best quality teachers and paraprofessionals to work with your children to ensure our school is a place where they can succeed. Below is a table that lists the degree major of each teacher and any other graduate certifications or degree held by the teacher. The table also includes the field of discipline and years of experience. TEACHER NAME DEGREE MAJOR & FIELD OF DISCIPLINE OTHER GRADUATE DEGREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MEETS STATE QUALIFYING AND CERTIFICATE? Below is a list of the paraprofessionals who work at our school and their qualifications. If your child receives services in our Title I program, it is possible that these paraprofessionals may be assisting your child as he/she works on academic assignments. Paraprofessionals work under the guidance of a highly qualified teacher at all times. NAME OF PARAPROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS The following teachers are teaching under emergency or provisional status. The state qualification or certification criteria have been temporarily waived for these teachers to give them an opportunity to complete our state s requirements. Please recognize that highly qualified teachers is a priority at this school. Any teachers on this type of status are there for a temporary basis only.

5 If you call or visit the school, I would be happy to give you more information about these criteria. Also, a description of the types of procedures followed by the Florida Department of Education can be found on the following web site: If, at any time during the school year, a teacher who is not highly qualified teaches your child for four or more weeks, you will receive timely notice from the school. Again, thank you so much for your inquiry. Please continue to contact me at any time with additional questions or concerns.