PARENT INVOLVEMENT

The School Board recognizes that parents/guardians are their children's first and most influential teachers and that continued parental involvement in the education of children contributes greatly to student achievement and conduct.  Parents/guardians can directly affect academic success by reinforcing their children's motivation and commitment to education.  The district shall include parent involvement strategies as a component of instructional planning. 

In exercising their roles in the education of their students, parents/guardians have the following specific rights:

1. The right to object to and withdraw their student from a standards-based assessment or test required by the State of Alaska.
   
   
2. The right to object to and withdraw their student from an activity, class or program.
   
   
3. The right to be notified at least two weeks before any activity, class, or program is provided to their student that includes content involving human reproduction or sexual matters, except this right does not extend to training provided to students on awareness and prevention of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and dating violence and abuse.
   
   
4. The right to withdraw their student from an activity, class, program, or standards-based assessment or test required by the State of Alaska for a religious holiday, as defined by the parent/guardian.
   
   
5. The right to review the content of an activity, class, performance standard or program. 

In exercising the rights above, parents/guardians must object each time the parent/guardian wishes to withdraw their student from an activity, class, program, or standards-based assessment or test required by the State of Alaska. Categorical objections and withdrawals from all activities, classes, programs, or assessments are not permitted.

Students will not be penalized when withdrawn by parents/guardians from an activity, class, program, or standards-based assessment or test. Absences based on parent objection and withdrawal will be excused and, as appropriate, alternative work assigned.

(cf. 5141.41 – Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault and Dating Violence and Prevention)
(cf. 6141.2 – Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs)
(cf. 6142.1 – Family Life/Sex Education)
(cf. 6142.2 – AIDS Instruction)
(cf. 6162.5 – Standardized Testing)

Teachers and parents/guardians can better understand and meet student needs if they work together.  All of our schools have a duty to communicate frequently with the home and to help parents/guardians develop skills and family management techniques which support classroom learning.  Administrators and teachers should keep parents/guardians well informed about school expectations and tell them when and how they can assist their children in support of classroom learning activities.  The School Board encourages staff training in effective communication with the home.

The Board encourages parents/guardians to serve as volunteers in the schools and to attend student performances and school meetings.

(cf. 1240 - Volunteer Assistance)
(cf. 1250 - Visits to the Schools)
(cf. 5124 - Reporting to Parents)
(cf. 6154 - Homework/Make-Up Work)
(cf. 6171 - Title 1 Programs)

Legal Reference:

            ALASKA STATUTES
            14.30.016 A parent’s right to direct the education of the parent’s child
            14.30.361 Sex education, human reproductive education, and human sexuality education
            14.30.355 Sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and prevention
            14.30.356 Dating violence and abuse policy, training, awareness, prevention, and notices

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption Date:  10/13/99
Revision Date: 12/14/2016