SB 5555-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/17/97)

     Requires that, upon request by the parent of a student, the board of directors of a school district shall make available for inspection to the parent any educational or other program of the district and all instructional or other materials related to or used therein, including teacher manuals, textbooks, films, tapes, supplementary materials, or computer programs.

     Requires that, before any school district makes available to a student a course, program, or materials relating to education regarding alcoholic stimulants or controlled substances, human sexuality education, education regarding sexually transmitted diseases including HIV or AIDS education, suicide education, or death education, the district shall notify the parent of the student that all instructional materials or other materials relating to or used therein are available for public inspection and upon written consent by a parent the district may make such materials available to the student.

     Provides that any testing or inquiry pertaining to a student's attitudes, habits, or values, the student's parent's attitudes, habits, or values, or other personal information pertaining to the student and the student's family, including personality inventories, value appraisals, psychological inventories, or diagnostic tests may be given only after consultation by school personnel with the parent and with the parent's written permission.

     Declares that a school may not use guidance counseling regarding a student's social, emotional, mental, or personal problems without prior consultation with a parent and obtaining written permission of the parent, except in an emergency situation.

     Requires that a parent shall be apprised no less than three times during each school year, in writing, by the teacher or principal, of a student's progress in the basic skills.