Parents' Bill of Rights
The North Carolina General Assembly passed a Parents' Bill of Rights 8.16.2023.
The NCGA passed revisions to the law with the 2023 budget vote which took effect Oct 3rd.
Alexander County Schools has always respected parents' rights and promoted education as a way to partner with parents. If you have any questions about school policies and procedures, please contact the principal at your child's school.
Notice of Parental Rights
The Alexander County Board of Education values parental involvement and respects the rights of parents in the education and up-bringing of their children. North Carolina General Statute § 115C-76.25 provides a list of parental rights. Pre-existing Board Policy addresses many of these rights. Future changes in Board Policy to address these rights will be added to this notice. Citations to existing Board policies on the same subject matter are included below.
a. The right to consent or withhold consent for participation in reproductive health and safety education programs, consistent with the requirements of N.C.G.S. § 115C-81.30. Board Policy 3540.
b. The right to seek a medical or religious exemption from immunization requirements, consistent with the requirements of N.C.G.S. §§ G.S. 130A-156 and 130A-157. Board Policy 4110.
c. The right to review statewide standardized assessment results as part of the State report card. Board Policies 1310/4002.
d. The right to request an evaluation of their child for an academically or intellectually gifted program, or for identification as a child with a disability, as provided in Article 9 of Chapter 115C of the North Carolina General Statutes. Board Policies 1310/4002 and 3520.
e. The right to inspect and purchase public school unit textbooks and other supplementary instructional materials, as provided in Part 3 of Article 8 of 21 Chapter 115C of the North Carolina General Statutes. Board Policy 3210.
f. The right to access information relating to the Board's policies for promotion or retention, including high school graduation requirements. Board Policies 1310/4002.
g. The right to receive student report cards on a regular basis that clearly depict and grade the student's academic performance in each class or course, the student's conduct, and the student's attendance.
h. The right to access information relating to the State public education system, State standards, report card requirements, attendance requirements, and textbook requirements. Board Policies 1310/4002.
i. The right to participate in parent-teacher organizations. Board Policy 5010 .
j. Opt-in to participate in protected student information surveys and opt-out of data collection in other surveys.
https://ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/PDF/S49v5.pdf
k. Review available records of materials their child borrowed from a school library.
https://ncleg.gov/Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/PDF/S49v5.pdf
Link to all ACS School Board policies
Link to Sept 2023 state budget with Parents' Bill of Rights information
Timeline for parental requests
1) Parent requests in writing from the principal the information he/she wishes to access.2)a) Principal provides information within 10 business days (excludes weekends and holidays)
b) If the principal needs an extension due to the volume or complexity of the request, the information will be provided no later than 20 business days from the date of the parent request.
3) If principal denies request or fails to respond in the 10 or 20 days, parent may request the information from the superintendent along with a statement specifying the time frame of the principal’s denial or failure to respond.
4) If the superintendent denies the request or does not respond within 10 business days, the parent may appeal the denial or lack of response to the Alexander County School Board no later than 20 days from the date of the request to the superintendent. The school board says place the parent’s appeal on the agenda for their next meeting occurring more than three business days after the submission of the appeal.
5) The school board shall establish procedures governing requests for information and appeals. The decision of the school board is final and is not subject to judicial review.