Martine Guerrier

Chief FamilyEngagement Officeraskmartine@schools.nyc.gov

Office for FamilyEngagement and Advocacy49 Chambers Street, Rm 503New York, NY 10007(212) 374-2323 #

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(212) 374-0076 #

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Each child’s maximum potential can best be achieved through an activeengagement between parents

and the education community. Parents, as ourpartners in the delivery of educational services to children, have certain rightsand responsibilities as outlined in this document and in relevant Chancellor’sRegulations.ALL PARENTS HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:THE RIGHT TO A FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION.Parents have the right to a free public school education in a safe andsupportive learning environment.Parents have the right to:1. have their child receive a free public school education from kindergartenuntil age 21, or receipt of a high school diploma, whichever comes first, asprovided by law.2. have a child with a disability evaluated and, if found to be in need ofspecial education, receive a free, appropriate education from age 3 throughage 21, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.3. have a child who is an English Language Learner receive bilingualeducation or English as a Second Language, as required by law andregulations.4. have their child receive his or her full instructional schedule in accordancewith the Department of Education school year calendar.5. have their child learn in a safe and supportive learning environment, freeof harassment, bigotry and discrimination based on actual or perceived age,race, creed, color, gender, gender identify, gender expression, religion,national origin, citizenship/immigration status, sexual orientation, physicaland/or emotional condition, disability, marital status, and political beliefs.6. have their child accorded all the rights set forth in the Department ofEducation’s Bill of Student Rights and Responsibilities.THE RIGHT TO BE GIVEN ACCESS TO INFORMATION

A parent for purposes of this document means the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s), or any other person(s) in a parental or custodialrelationship to the student.

The Department of Education and its schools are responsible for providingparents with access to their child’s education records and any availableinformation on educational programs and opportunities.Parents have the right to:1. be provided with translation and interpretation services if the parentrequires or requests language assistance in order to communicate effectivelywith the Department, in accordance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-663.2. be provided with information regarding all policies, plans and regulationswhich require parent consultation at the school, district and/or borough level.3. be given access to current information regarding services which areprovided by the school system, eligibility requirements for these services, andhow to apply for them (i.e., transportation, food services, health services,English Language Learner (ELL) instruction, remediation, special educationservices, etc.).4. be provided with written information concerning expectations for theirchildren with respect to their educational program, attendance and behavior.5. be provided with written information regarding the grading criteria thatwill be used to evaluate their child’s academic performance.6. be given access to information concerning their child’s instructionalprogram, including but not limited to, course of study or curriculum maps.7. be assured the confidentiality of their child’s records, in accordance withChancellor’s Regulation A-820.8. inspect and review their child’s education records within 45 days of theday the school receives a request.9. make an appointment to have their child’s education record explained bydesignated school staff and to have such a meeting within a reasonable timeafter making such a request.10. request that their child’s education records be released to an outsideagency, in accordance with Chancellor’s Regulation A-820, and to withholdtheir contact information from institutions of higher learning and militaryrecruiters.11. have their child’s education records sent to another school to which their

child has transferred in a timely manner.12. consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained inthe student’s education records, except to the extent that Family EducationalRights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Chancellor’s Regulation A-820 authorizedisclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure withoutconsent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. Aschool official includes but is not limited to, a person employed by the schoolas an administrator, supervisor, teacher, or support staff member. A schoolofficial has a legitimate educational interest if the official needsto review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professionalresponsibility. Upon request, the school discloses education records withoutconsent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intendsto enroll.13. file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning allegedfailures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The nameand address of the office that administers FERPA are:Family Policy Compliance OfficeU.S. Department of Education400 Maryland Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20202-5901THE RIGHT TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED AND ENGAGED IN THE EDUCATIONOF THEIR CHILDRENParents have the right to be given every available opportunity for meaningfulparticipation in their child’s education.Parents have the right to:1. feel welcome, respected, and supported in their school communities.2. be treated with courtesy and respect by all school personnel, and to beaccorded all rights without regard to race, color, creed, religion, nationalorigin, sex, gender, age, ethnicity, immigration/citizenship status, maritalstatus, partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability oreconomic status.3. participate in regular written or verbal communication with teachers andother school staff and share concerns regarding their child’s academic, socialand behavioral progress.