GCE – Parent Rights to Academic Accommodations
Parent Rights to Academic Accommodations
Meaning of “reasonably accommodate”—
As used in this policy, “reasonably accommodate” means that a school shall make its best effort to enable a parent to exercise a right identified in this policy (1) without substantial impact to staff and resources, including employee working conditions, safety and supervision on school premises and for school activities, and the efficient allocation of expenditures; and (2) while balancing (a) parental rights, (b) the educational needs of other students, (c) academic and behavioral impacts to a classroom, (d) teacher workload, and (e) the need to assure safe and efficient school operation. In determining whether a parental request will be accommodated in a particular instance, each of the above-listed factors should be considered.
Utah Code § 53G-6-801(2) (2019)
Parent rights to academic accommodations—
The District recognizes that a student’s parent is the primary person responsible for the education of the student, and the state is in a secondary and supportive role to the parent. As such, a student’s parent has the right to reasonable academic accommodations from the student’s school as specified in this policy. The listing of rights in this policy is not meant to be exhaustive, and a student’s parent, as a user of the public education system, may have other rights or be entitled to other accommodations. Whether under this policy or otherwise, each requested accommodation shall be considered on an individual basis and no student shall be considered to a greater or lesser degree than any other student. An accommodation may only be provided if the accommodation is consistent with federal law and, if the student has an Individualized Education Program (“IEP”), is consistent with the IEP.
Utah Code § 53G-6-803(1) (2020)
Academic accommodations—
Each school in the District shall reasonably accommodate the request of a student’s parent:
- made in writing to retain a student in kindergarten through grade 8 on grade level based on the student’s academic ability or social, emotional, or physical maturity;
- regarding initial selection of a teacher or request for a change of teacher;
- to visit and observe any class the student attends;
- made in writing to place a student in a specialized class, a specialized program, or an advanced course (the school shall consider multiple academic data points when considering this requested accommodation); and
- to meet with a teacher at a mutually agreeable time if the parent is unable to attend a regularly scheduled parent teacher conference (see Policy EFA regarding parent-teacher conferences).
Utah Code § 53G-6-803(2)-(4), (6), (8) (2020)
Parent rights regarding alternative credit and testing—
Students shall be allowed, consistent with requirements of the State Board of Education, to earn course credit toward high school graduation without completing a course in school by either testing out of the course or demonstrating competency in course standards.
Utah Code § 53G-6-803(7) (2020)
Parent rights regarding assessments—
At the request of a parent, a student shall be excused from taking such assessments as provided for in regulations issued by the Utah State Board of Education and according to the procedures in those regulations. Schools may not require procedures to be excused from assessments in addition to the procedures established by State Board regulations. Schools may not provide a nonacademic reward to a student for taking assessments that are included in the list of assessments established by the State Board as assessments from which students may be excused.
Utah Code § 53G-6-803(9) (2020)
Parent rights regarding student absences—
A school shall record an excused absence for a scheduled family event or a scheduled proactive visit to a health care provider if (1) the parent submits a written statement at least one school day before the scheduled absence and (2) the student agrees to make up course work for school days missed for the scheduled absence in accordance with District policy.
Utah Code § 53G-6-803(5) (2020)
Parent rights regarding student discipline—
As required by Policy FHA, parents will be provided a copy of that policy (which is the student conduct and discipline policy) and shall acknowledge by signature receiving the policy. When a student is suspended for any period of time or is recommended for expulsion, the student’s parent shall be provided notice of the violation or violations upon which disciplinary action is to be based and shall have an opportunity to respond as set forth in Policy FHA.
Utah Code § 53G-6-803(10) (2020)
Notice of parent rights—
Each student’s parent shall be given annual notice of the parental rights and school responsibilities under this policy. This notice may be given by posting it on the District or school web site or through other means of electronic communication.