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Parent Involvement

Understanding Student Records  

(Recorded in Student Handbook)

The School recognizes the legal requirement to maintain the confidentiality of student records. Access to student records shall be consistent with federal statutes, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and its implementing regulations.

The School also recognizes its responsibility under the Local Government Records Law to ensure the orderly retention and disposition of the School’s student records.

At least once each year, the School shall by means of an individual mailing or by inclusion in one of the School’s regular publications, notify all parents and eligible students of their rights under FERPA. The notice will include a statement that the parent or eligible student has a right to:

  • 1) Inspect and review the student’s education records;
  • 2) A specification of the intent of the School to limit the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education records except:
    • by prior written consent of the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) or the eligible student; as directory information; or under certain limited circumstances, as permitted by FERPA.
  • 3) Request that records be amended to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights;
  • 4) File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education alleging failure of the school to comply with FERPA and its regulations; and
  • 5) Obtain copies of this policy and the locations where copies may be obtained.

The policy applicable to the release of student directory information, which includes the student’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of degrees and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended by the student, applies equally to military recruiters, the media, colleges and universities, and prospective employers.

The School shall arrange to provide translations of this notice to non-English speaking parents in their native language.

The School does not plan to publish a directory of student information. In the event that the School plans to publish a directory in the future, FERPA permits the disclosure of certain categories of directory information, i.e., name, age, address, etc., without specific permission from the parents having been obtained. However, while permission is not required, the School must give parents/legal guardians the opportunity to object to the publication of some or all of this information.

Grievance Policy 

(Recorded in Student Handbook) 

Whenever an ACCEL Academy student believes that he/she has a complaint, every effort is to be made to arrive at a satisfactory resolution of the problem on an informal basis. When this cannot be done, students can resort to the more formal procedures as provided herein.

Definitions:

  • Complaint shall mean any alleged violation, misinterpretation or any inequitable application of any published policy, rule or regulation of the school. Complaint shall not apply to any matter in which the method of review is prescribed by law. Complaints are objections to a specific act or condition.
  • Complainant shall mean any individual student or parent, directly affected by the alleged misinterpretation or violation, filing a complaint.
  • Faculty/Staff and Administration shall mean the employees of the ACCEL Board of Directors or representatives under the direct supervision of an employee of the board.
  • Day shall mean a school/academic day.
  • Time Limits: The number of days indicated at each level is to be considered the maximum.
  • Time limits may be extended by mutual agreement between the parties.
  • Released Time: The complaint procedure will normally be carried out during non-instructional time. If, however, the Board elects to carry out provisions during instructional time, the complainant shall not lose academic credit.

Complaint Procedure

  • Informal Discussion: If a student believes there is a basis for complaint, he/she shall discuss the complaint with his/her principal or the designee of the principal, (except in cases of discrimination or harassment involving the principal or the designee, in which case the complainant shall report to a person designated by the Superintendent) within five (5) days of the occurrence of the alleged violation except in cases involving harassment or discrimination in which thirty (30) days will be allowed.
  • Level One: The student or parent filing the grievance shall complete the ACCEL Academy Grievance Report (attached and/or in possession of the principal). The report shall be submitted to the principal or his/her designee. The principal or his/her designee shall conduct an investigation in a timely manner. The principal or his/her designee’s decision shall be reduced to writing and presented to the student and/or parent. In no event, shall an appeal to Level Two be allowed without the involvement of the principal or his/her designee. The principal or his/her designee shall document his/her involvement with the problem.
  • Level Two: In the event the problem is not resolved at Level One, the student/parent may file an appeal in writing with the Superintendent by completing the ACCEL Academy Grievance Report (attached and/or in possession of the Superintendent’s office). Such appeal shall be presented within ten (10) days of the Level One decision. The Superintendent shall request a conference with the aggrieved or render a written decision within ten (10) days from the receipt of the grievance.
  • Board Appeal: In the event the problem is not resolved at Level Two, the student/parent may request the Superintendent to schedule a hearing before the Board. The Board shall issue a decision within forty-five (45) days after the hearing. The aggrieved person may select a representative to accompany him/her, may state the facts in written form, and may request a written decision.

Confidentiality will be provided to the extent possible to any student or affected party who requests such, especially in instances of alleged discrimination or harassment.