lawprofessors

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Are you frustrated that your school's Principal or Vice Principal are not listening nor acting adequately on your school complaints?  Are you being given a blank stare when you sit in the office telling your tale?  Is your child's problem not being resolved?  When problems are not resolved at the school site, don't forget the school district. I have sat and consoled many parents who have complained to their child's principal or other school staff about issues, such as continual bullying, targeting by a teacher, a dangerous situation on campus, issues with a student group, etc. to no avail.  The parents complain of getting nowhere, being treated like idiots or bothersome pests, and know their issues are not being taken seriously.  They are at a loss. Often these parents do not know nor think to involve their school district.  I think some parents believe that their school district may re...

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 California Education Code 51101 has a handy list of public school parents' rights neatly packaged for use when push comes to shove in California schools.  Some of these rights may come as a surprise to parents who are being denied a simple parent-teacher conference, can't get their child's records, are denied volunteer opportunities, were never given the school policies, or are having other difficulties in the public school environment. Section 51101 affords the following rights to California public school parents (be advised this is an abbreviated list and is paraphrased): 1)  To be "mutually supportive and respectful partners" with the school. 2)  Within a reasonable time to observe their child's current classroom(s) and/or future classrooms if transferring. 3)  To meet with the teacher(s) or principal within a reasonable time of their request. 4)  To volunteer in the school or class...