ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: ED DP 9-0-0-0 | 3^rd Read 30-0-0-0 House: ED DP 10-0-0-3

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SB 1061: schools; parental rights; posting

Sponsor:  Senator Allen S, LD 6

House Engrossed

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to establish and post, on its website, a statutory handbook of parental rights and requires each school district and charter school to post a link to the handbook on its website.

History

The parents' bill of rights is outlined in statute and includes: 1) the right to direct the education of a minor child; 2) the right to direct the moral or religious training of a minor child; 3) the right to make health care decisions for a minor child; and 4) the right to consent, in writing, before the state makes a video or voice recording of a minor child (A.R.S. §§ 1-601 and 1-602).

School district governing boards, in consultation with parents, teachers and administrators, are required to develop a policy to promote the involvement of parents that includes: 1) a plan to improve parent and teacher cooperation; 2) procedures by which parents may learn about the course of study and review learning materials; and 3) procedures by which parents may learn about parental rights and responsibilities (A.R.S. § 15-102).

A public school may not discriminate against students or parents based on a religious viewpoint or expression. Students in public schools may pray or engage in religious activities or expression to the same extent that students may engage in nonreligious activities or expression. Additionally, students in public institutions may wear clothing, accessories and jewelry that display religious messages or symbols to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted (A.R.S. § 15-110).

The parent of a student in a public school has the right to review learning materials and activities in advance. Statute allows a parent who objects to any learning material or activity to withdraw that student from the activity or class and request an alternative assignment (A.R.S. § 15-113).

Statute requires public schools to obtain written informed consent from the parent of a student before administering any survey that solicits personal information (A.R.S. § 15-117).

Each public school is required to establish a school council consisting of parents, teachers, noncertified employees, community members, students (if the school is a high school) and the principal of the school. The school district governing board may delegate to a school council the responsibility to develop curriculum and any other reasonably necessary powers (A.R.S. § 15-351).

The governing board of a common school or high school is required to approve the course of study, the basic textbook for each course and all units recommended for credit prior to implementation of the course. Statute requires designated school personnel to allow parents access to instructional materials currently used by or being considered for use by the school district (A.R.S. §§ 15-721, 15-722 and 15-730).

Provisions

1. Requires ADE to establish and post, on its website, a statutory handbook of parental rights that consist of the following statutes relating to:

a) Parental rights;

b) Parental involvement in school;

c) Parental and student rights at public educational institutions;

d) Parental permission and informed consent;

e) Duties and membership of school councils;

f) Common school course of study;

g) High school course of study; and

h) Parental access to instructional materials. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires each school district and charter school to prominently post on a publicly accessible portion of its website a link to the statutory handbook of parental rights. (Sec. 1)

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                        SB 1061

Initials CH/EB Page 0 House Engrossed

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