Essential Information About Your Child's Education

We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is crucial for your child’s success. Federal law, specifically Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA), requires that Spectrum Academy (your local educational agency (LEA) and school) provide you with clear and timely information about your child’s educational experience, staff qualifications, and how you can be involved.

Understanding Your Child’s Learning and School Performance

We are committed to providing you with clear and comprehensive data on your child's academic progress and how our school is performing.

• Individual Progress Reports: You will receive information detailing your student’s level of achievement and academic growth
• Annual School Report Card: We will disseminate an annual report card to all parents, schools, and the public. This card contains essential information on our student achievement and accountability measures.  A link to the Annual School Report card is the homepage of our website 
• Curriculum Details: You have the right to request a description and explanation of the curriculum used in your child’s classroom 
• Assessment Information: You may also request a description and explanation of the assessments used to measure your student’s progress 
• Assessment Participation: You have the right to request information on school policies regarding student participation in assessments and the available procedures for opting out. 

[ESEA Sec. 1112(e)(1)(B)(i); ESEA Sec. 1111(h)(1)(2); ESEA Sec. 1116(c)(4)(B); ESEA Sec. 1112(e)(2)(A)]

Knowing Your Child's Teachers and Staff

You have a right to understand the professional backgrounds of the staff members who teach and support your child every day.

• Right to Request Teacher Qualifications: You have the right to request the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers. This information includes:
  • Whether the teacher is state-licensed
  • Whether they are teaching under an emergency or provisional status
  • Whether they are teaching in the discipline of their certification
• Right to Request Paraprofessional Qualifications: You also have the right to request information on whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications
• Timely Notice of Non-Certified Teachers: We must provide you with timely notice if your child has been assigned to, or taught for four or more consecutive weeks, by a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification or licensure requirements for the grade level or subject area taught

[ESEA Sec. 1112(e)(1)(A)(i); ESEA Sec. 1112(e)(1)(A)(ii); ESEA Sec. 1112(e)(1)(B)(ii)]

Your Right to Be Involved in Policy and Program Decisions

Family engagement is defined as the systematic inclusion of families in activities and programs that promote children’s development, learning, and wellness, including in the planning, development, and evaluation of such activities, programs, and systems.
(U.S. Dept. of Education, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Policy Statement On Family Engagement From The Early Years To The Early Grades, 2016, p. 2).

You have the opportunity to participate in and influence the planning of our school programs:

• Title I Information and Meetings: You must receive timely information about Title I programs. If you request it, you also have opportunities for regular meetings to provide suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to your child’s education
• Program Planning and Improvement: You have the opportunity to be involved in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s program. This requirement applies unless the school already has a process in place for involving parents (with adequate representation) 
• Parent and Family Engagement Policy: You have the right to be part of the development and review of the school- and LEA-level Parent and Family Engagement Policy 

[ESEA Sec. 1116(c)(4); ESEA Sec. 1116(c)(3); ESEA Sec. 1116(a)(2)(A) and 1116(c)(3)]

Communication and Support for English Learners

We are committed to communicating with you clearly and providing specific support information if your child is an English learner (EL).

• Understandable Language: You have the right to be notified in a format and language—to the extent practicable—that you can understand 
• EL Parent Involvement Rights: Parents of English learners will receive general information about their parent involvement rights, including notice of opportunities to participate in regular meetings 
• Program Information for EL Students: If your child is identified for participation in language instruction educational programs, you will receive information that includes the:
  • Reasons for identification 
  • Methods of instruction 
  • Explanation of how the program will help your child meet proficiency standards 

[ESEA Sec. 1116(b)(1) and Sec. 1116(e)(5); ESEA Sec. 1112(e)(3)(C); ESEA Sec. 1112(e)(3)(A)]

References

Every Student Succeeds Act, 20 U.S.C. § 6301 (2015)

U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2016). Policy Statement On Family Engagement From The Early Years To The Early Grades (p. 2). [Note: This document provides the definition of “Family engagement” cited in Section III].