A Bill of Rights for Parents!

1. Parents have the right to expect and request an educational environment that is emotionally and physically safe for their children.
2. Parents have the right to expect and request an educational environment that respects their family’s and their child’s religious freedoms.
3. Parents have the right to be be informed of and have the right to appeal school policies and administrative decisions.
4. Parents have the right to receive written notice and the option to opt their child out of surveys that include invasive questions about students’ sexual experiences or attractions, their families’ beliefs, morality, religion, political affiliations or mental and psychological problems of the student or family members.
5. Parents have the right to be notified and have the opportunity to volunteer or participate on review committees that made decisions about curriculum, lesson plans and books.
6. Parents have the right to receive written notice and have the option to opt their child out of controversial instruction on topics such as sex education.
7. Parents have the right to request and arrange a time to examine textbooks, lesson plans, curriculum and supplemental materials used in their child’s
   classroom.
8. Parents have the right to file a request for information from the school under the Massachusetts Public Records Law without being charged exorbitant fees for the production of the responsive documents.
9. Parents have the right to request a time to visit the school and observe their child’s classes.
10. Parents have the right to meet with teachers, as well as consult with other professionals interacting with their children at school, including counselors, coaches, administrators, etc.
11. Parents have the right to inspect their child’s school records, including academic, counseling and health information.
12. Parents have the right to be notified when medical services are being offered to their child.
13. Parents have the right to be notified if the school is aware that their child has been bullied or has been accused of bullying.
14. Parents have the right to be notified if a criminal action is deemed to have been committed against their child.
15. Parents have the right to be notified if their child is accused of a criminal action or an infraction that warrants a significant form of school punishment, such as detention.
16. Parents have the right to request a change in class or teacher assignment for their child.
17. Parents have the right to be notified if their child is absent from school or classes.
18. Parents have the right to know which extracurricular clubs and school activities their children are participating in.
19. Parents have the right to know in which classes their child is enrolled and what grades the child has received.
20. Parents have the right to meet and speak with school administrators, including the superintendent and school principals.