Jerome Joint School District No. 261

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION 2425

Parental Rights

The Board of Trustees encourages parents/guardians to be involved in their student’s school activities and

academic progress. As required by IC 33-6001, the District reinforces the rights and responsibilities of parents as

primary stakeholders to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their child.

The Board is mandated to adhere to laws, rules, and regulations including the Constitution of the State of Idaho, the

rules of the Idaho State Board of Education (Idaho Administrative Procedures Act), the rules and regulations of the

Idaho State Department of Education, the laws, rules and regulations of the federal government and the U.S.

Department of Education as well as educational provisions outlined in the Idaho Code. These mandates include the

requirement stated at Article IX, Section1 of the Idaho Constitution that it is “. . . the duty of the Legislature of Idaho

to maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.”

Based upon the above provisions, as well as the State’s mandated requirements for advancement and graduation,

the District has established its practices, policies, and procedures as well as the approved curriculum and assessment program. Failure to follow the District’s practices, policies, and procedures as well as the school’s curriculum and assessment program amounts to a violation of state and/or federal laws, rules, and regulations by the District, including but not limited to the failure to provide a general, thorough, free and uniform system of public education as well as putting the District’s operations and funding in jeopardy.

Parents, guardians, and students are expected to abide by the District’s practices, policies, and procedures

governing the operation of the schools which are required by various state and/or federal laws, rules, and

regulations. However, a student's parent/guardian has the right to reasonable academic accommodation if the

accommodation does not substantially impact District staff and resources, including employee working conditions,

safety and supervision on school premises for school activities and the efficient allocation of expenditures. The

District will strive to balance the rights of parents/guardians, the educational needs of other students, the

academic and behavioral impacts to a classroom, a teacher's workload and the assurance of the safe and efficient

operations of the school.

If a parent has an objection to the District’s implementation of various mandates through the District’s practices,

policies and procedures, or if a parent/guardian would like to request reasonable academic accommodation the

appropriate avenue for the parent is to first seek to address such concerns through communication with the school’s administration. Should that avenue not resolve the situation, a parent is free to address such concerns with the Board of Trustees in conformance with Board policy regarding public participation at Board meetings.

A parent/guardian who has objection to their child’s participation in the District’s adopted curriculum and/or the

District’s implementation of practices, policies, and procedures in accordance with educational mandates, on the

basis that it harms the child or impairs the parents' firmly held beliefs, values, or principles, may withdraw their child

from the activity, class, or program. Except in the case of sex education curriculum, a parent/guardian who chooses

to not have their child participate in the provided educational activity, shall be responsible for identification and

provision of non-disruptive alternative educational activities for their child during any time of objection, at no cost

to the District. The final decision as to the placement of such alternative educational activity shall be at the discretion of the District, with input of the parent, consistent with the requirements for advancement and graduation and consistent with the reasonable accommodation requirements outlined above.

In the case of dual credit courses offered by an institution of higher education, academic accommodations and

excusing students from objectionable assignments is solely at the discretion of the course provider and not the

District. The District has no control over the selection, adoption and removal of curricular materials and it is the

responsibility of the parent to have knowledge of and/or review such prior to student enrollment.

Access to Learning Materials

Parents/guardians are entitled to review all learning materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids

used in their student’s classroom. Parents/guardian can request access to learning materials by contact the

school’s administration during school hours.

Student Wellbeing

If a member of the District’s staff becomes aware of a change in the student’s mental, emotional, or physical

health or well-being the staff member shall report this change so the student’s parent/guardian can be notified as

described in Procedure 2425.

Addressing Parent/Guardian Concerns

A parent/guardian who feels the District has violated their rights, as described in this policy and otherwise

provided in IC 33-6001 may file a grievance as described in Policy 4120 Uniform Grievance Policy.

Notice

The District shall annually provide parents/guardians with notice of their rights as specified in this policy.

Cross Reference: 2340F Parental Opt-Out Form for Sex Education

2420 Parental and Family Engagement

4105F Request to Address the Board

4120 Uniform Grievance Policy

4175 Required Annual Notices

Legal Reference: Idaho Constitution Article IX

I.C. § 32-1010 Intent of the Legislature – Parental Rights

I.C. § 32-1012 Parental Right to Direct the Education of Children

I.C. § 32-1013 Interference with Fundamental Parental Rights Restricted

I.C. § 33-6001 Parental Rights

I.C. § 33-6002 Annual Notice of Parental Rights

I.D.A.P.A. 08, Titles .01, .02, .03 and .04

Policy History:

Adopted on: 09/22/2015

Revised on: 10/25/2016

Revised on: 08/25/2020

Revised on: 10/24/2023