Table of Contents PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................... 1 SECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS ................................................................................................ 3 CONSENT, OPT-OUT, AND REFUSAL RIGHTS ................................................................... 3 Consent to Conduct a Psychological Evaluation .................................................................... 3 Consent to Display a Student’s Original Works and Personal Information ............................ 3 Consent to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction if Student is Under Age 14............................................................................................................................................. 3 Consent to Video or Audio Record a Student When Not Otherwise Permitted by Law ......... 3 Prohibiting the Use of Corporal Punishment .......................................................................... 4 Limiting Electronic Communications with Students by District Employees ......................... 4 Objecting to the Release of Directory Information ................................................................. 4 Objecting to the Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education .................................................................................................................... 5 Participation in Third-Party Surveys ...................................................................................... 5 Consent Required Before Student Participation in a Federally Funded Survey, Analysis, or Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................ 5 “Opting Out” of Participation in Other Types of Surveys or Screenings and the Disclosure of Personal Information ........................................................................................................................ 6 REMOVING A STUDENT FROM INSTRUCTION OR EXCUSING A STUDENT FROM A REQUIRED COMPONENT OF INSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 6 Human Sexuality Instruction .................................................................................................. 6 Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence in Grades 3–12 ................................. 7 Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags ................................................................... 7 Religious or Moral Beliefs ...................................................................................................... 7 Tutoring or Test Preparation ................................................................................................... 7 RIGHT OF ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS, CURRICULUM MATERIALS, AND DISTRICT RECORDS ............................................................................................................... 8 Parent Portal ............................................................................................................................ 8 Instructional Materials ............................................................................................................ 8 Notices of Certain Student Misconduct to Noncustodial Parent ............................................ 8 Student Records ...................................................................................................................... 8 Accessing Student Records .............................................................................................................. 8 Authorized Inspection and Use of Student Records ........................................................................ 9 Teacher and Staff Professional Qualifications .......................................................................11 STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES................... 12 i Children of Military Families ............................................................................................... 12 Parental Role in Certain Classroom and School Assignments ................................................. 12 Multiple Birth Siblings ......................................................................................................... 12 Safety Transfers/Assignments ............................................................................................... 12 Service/Assistance Animal Use by Students......................................................................... 13 Students in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care) .................................................. 13 Students Who Are Homeless ................................................................................................ 13 Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need Special Education Services ......... 13 Students Who Receive Special Education Services with Other School-Aged Children in the Home ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Students Who Speak a Primary Language Other than English ............................................. 14 Students With Physical or Mental Impairments Protected under Section 504 ..................... 14 SECTION II: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS .... 16 ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE................................................................................................... 16 Compulsory Attendance ........................................................................................................ 16 Age 19 and Older ........................................................................................................................... 16 Between Ages 6 and 19 .................................................................................................................. 16 Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance................................................................................ 16 All Grade Levels ............................................................................................................................ 16 Secondary Grade Levels ................................................................................................................ 17 Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance ................................................................. 17 Age 19 and Older ........................................................................................................................... 17 Between Ages 6 and 19 .................................................................................................................. 18 Attendance for Credit or Final Grade ................................................................................... 18 Official Attendance-Taking Time.......................................................................................... 19 Documentation after an Absence .......................................................................................... 19 Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness ........................................................................... 20 Driver License Attendance Verification ................................................................................ 20 ACCOUNTABILITY UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL LAW .............................................. 20 AWARDS AND HONORS ....................................................................................................... 21 Honor Students...................................................................................................................... 21 Eligibility .............................................................................................................................. 21 Conduct ................................................................................................................................. 21 BULLYING .............................................................................................................................. 21 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS ........................................ 22 ii CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND OTHER MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN ................... 22 CLASS RANK / HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT ............................................................... 23 CLASS SCHEDULES .............................................................................................................. 24 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS ..................................................................... 25 COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES .............................................................................................. 25 COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ......................................................................................... 26 CONDUCT ............................................................................................................................... 26 Applicability of School Rules ............................................................................................... 26 Disruptions of School Operations ......................................................................................... 27 Social Events ......................................................................................................................... 27 COUNSELING ........................................................................................................................