Parental notification under No Child Left Behind

Parental Notification Under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) The Smith County School System is committed to providing the best education possible for each student. We realize that parents play a vital role in the accomplishment of this mission so we encourage their involvement and strive to keep them informed of their rights.

•  Smith County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, age, religion, or handicap in the provision of educational opportunities, activities, or other administered programs.
• A parental involvement policy and parent-teacher-student compact will be distributed to parents by each Title I school. A copy of each document may also be obtained by contacting the school office. In schools eligible for Title I funds, a written parental involvement policy will be developed jointly with and distributed to parents of children participating in Title I programs. Each Title I school will also hold at least one annual meeting for parents to inform them of the school’s participation in programs funded under the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Parents have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of classroom teachers who instruct their children. If students are provided services by paraprofessionals, parents may also request information regarding the qualifications of paraprofessionals. Teacher certifications can be found by accessing the Tennessee Department of Education Teacher Licensing website (www.k-12.state.tn.us/tcertinf) or by contacting the school principal or the school system’s federal projects director.
• Parents must receive notification if their child has been assigned or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.
• Parents will be notified of their child’s eligibility for service in migrant, homeless, or Limited English Proficiency programs.
• Parents will have access to system and school report cards as developed by the State Department of Education (usually available in late fall of each year) through the website (www.state.tn.us/education) or at the school and/or system office. Results will also be publicized through local media.
• Parents must receive information on the achievement level of their child on each of the state academic assessments as soon as practicably possible after the test is taken. Assessment results will be distributed by the child’s school.
• Parents may visit the State Department of Education web site (http://tennessee.gov/education/ci/standards/index.php) or visit the school to access a description of the Tennessee Curriculum Standards, assessment information, and proficiency levels students are expected to meet.
• Parents must be notified if their child is enrolled in a school identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring. Currently no school in Smith County has been identified as in need of improvement.
• If a school fails to make adequate yearly progress, parents will be informed regarding the availability of school choice options and supplemental education services.
• Under the Tennessee State Board of Education’s Unsafe School Choice Policy, any public school student who is the victim of a violent crime as defined under Tennessee Code Annotated 40-38-111 (g), or the attempt to commit one of these offenses as defined under Tennessee Code Annotated 30-12-101, shall be provided an opportunity to transfer to another grade-level appropriate school within the district. • Parents of a student identified as having limited English proficiency (ELL – English Language Learner) must be notified in a timely manner of the child’s participation in the ELL program, details of the program, right to waive participation, and specific information on the child’s level of English proficiency.
• Parents must be informed of and involved in violence and drug prevention efforts including program content and activities. Parents may request in writing their child’s exemption from participation in such activities.
• Parents will be notified regarding their rights before any third-party surveys are distributed to students.
• Schools in which at least 40% of the children are from low-income families have school-wide program authority under which schools may consolidate funds from federal, state, and local sources to upgrade the entire educational program of the school.
•  Parents of secondary school students have a right to request that their child’s name, address, and telephone number not be released to a military recruiter without their prior written consent. Requests should be made by contacting the school principal or the school system’s federal projects director.
• Federal law affords parents and students over 18 years of age certain rights with respect to educational records. School Board Policy relating to student privacy and parental access to information is available in the School Board Policy Manual located at each school and at the central office. Notification of Rights and Release of Directory Information under FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) will also be conducted through local media announcements.
• The individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require our district to take steps to find all children, including preschool-age children, with disabilities who live in our district, screen them to determine their disabilities, and provide them with appropriate special education services. Also, Part C of IDEA requires our district and state to notify the community of services available for children with disabilities under age 3 and take steps to find and screen these children so that they can receive appropriate special education services.