Vermont summers pass quickly, and here we are in another school year.

by Robert Fireovid

Much preparation occurs by students, parents and teachers to launch a new school year.  Schedules are planned, and purchases of school supplies, clothes, sporting equipment take place to prepare for a successful school year.  

SpeakVT recommends that parents check off the items below.  It’s important to understand the rights you have to protect your child within the school system.  (Adapted from Defending Education.)

1. Get to know your student’s teachers.  Introduce yourself.   It is best to establish a relationship before you have an issue.
2. Review your district’s opt out policies. These can often be found in the Student Handbook.
3. Parents may be able to opt their children out of objectional material (e.g., pornographic book or gender instruction) that violates their religious beliefs, based on a new Supreme Court ruling. Ask your school district how they will comply with “Mahmoud v. Taylor”…Submit an opt out letter!
4. PPRA (Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment). Go to this link Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment to see a list of the 8 categories that require advanced parental notification if a school wants to survey your child.
5. How is Title IX enforced by your district? Are boys allowed in girls’ restrooms? Are males permitted to compete against girls in sports?
6. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act requires that federally-funded schools must let you review your child’s Official Student Record.  Hidden records are not allowed.
7. What is their tech policy: the use of cell phones, the use of AI for assignments?
8. Review your district’s Code of Conduct or Student Rights and Responsibilities document. Does your district practice Restorative Justice? “Restorative justice” or “disparate outcomes analysis” discriminates against students based on race (or other identity characteristics) when disciplining bad behavior. The Federal government no longer allows restorative justice in schools receiving federal funding. 

In addition to information like this, through our newsletters SpeakVT keeps parents and all citizens up to date on significant events and policies that affect the Vermont school system. 

Please help us by forwarding this piece to at least ONE contact in your personal network and encouraging that person to subscribe to our mailing list.  You could easily describe our mission this way:  to put parents in the driver’s seat of education.