 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
schools; parental classroom visitation policies
Purpose
Requires a charter school governing body (governing body) and a school district governing board (governing board) to adopt policies for parental classroom visits, tours and observations.
Background
Arizona's Parents' Bill of Rights reserves, to a parent of a minor child, the right to direct the education of the child without obstruction or interference from the state, a political subdivision, governmental entity or any other institution. A parent of a student in a public educational institution has the right to review learning materials and activities in advance and request to withdraw the student from an activity, class or program if the parent objects to the learning material or activity on the basis that it is harmful. A charter school that provides a complete list of materials each year before enrollment may require parents to waive their right to object as a condition of enrollment (A.R.S. §§ 1-602 and 15-113).
A governing
board must adopt a policy to promote the involvement of parents and guardians
of children enrolled within the school district that includes procedures for a
parent to learn about: 1) their children's course of study and learning
materials; 2) the nature and purpose of clubs and activities; and 3) parental
rights and responsibilities. A parent may request information relating to
parental involvement procedures, rights and responsibilities during regular
business hours as outlined. If the request is denied or the parent does not
receive the information within 15 days, the parent may submit a written request
to the governing body to be formally considered at the next scheduled public
meeting. On written request, a school district must make instructional
materials used or being considered for use available for parent or guardian
review
(A.R.S. §§ 15-102 and 15-730).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires each governing body and governing board to develop and adopt, in a public meeting, policies to allow a parent of an enrolled pupil or a parent who wishes to enroll their child to visit, tour and observe all classrooms, unless a visit, tour or observation threatens the health and safety of pupils and staff.
2. Requires the parental visit policies and procedures to be easily accessible from the home page of each school's website.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 1/18/22 FAILED 5-5-0-0
ED* 2/1/22 DP 6-4-0-0
3rd Read 2/15/22 31-28-1
*on reconsideration
Prepared by Senate Research
February 25, 2022
LB/MS/slp