SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5793

BYSenators Rasmussen, Benitz, Stratton, Cantu, Owen, Amondson and Johnson

Promoting parents' rights in education.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1989

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Some parents have expressed concern about what their children are learning and how they are being taught in the public schools. Clarification and establishment of roles and responsibilities of parents, school officials and teachers is one method of encouraging better understanding and cooperation.

SUMMARY:

Parents' rights and school districts' responsibilities are established.

Parents have the right to know what their children are being taught.  This right includes providing parents with the opportunity to inspect educational materials and with notice before certain subjects are taught.  Parental consent is required before a child is placed in a special or pilot program.

Certain conduct or activities of school employees are proscribed including subverting morality or patriotism, encouraging children to withhold information from parents, or using the classroom or school property to promote political candidates or circulate political petitions.

Parents and children have the right to privacy.  This right includes notice and consent to testing other than "I-Q" tests, ability of parents to inspect records, and certain limits on the contents of records.

Parents have the right to expect that education be academically oriented.  This right includes definition of certain courses and instructional methods, restriction on the use of material outside the curriculum subject matter, prohibition on the use of psycho-therapeutic techniques such as group therapy or sensitivity training, and parental consent before guidance counseling is used.

Parents have the right to be informed of student progress. Parents have the right to redress.  Procedures are established for redress including the establishment for grounds for the dismissal of school employees.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested