Act No. 699, authored by St. Tammany Parish’s own Senator A.G. Crowe, enumerates the rights of parents with public school children relative to their child’s education. Also known as the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” this legislation was signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on June 18, 2014 and will go into effect as La. R.S. 17:406.9 on August 1, 2014. The Parental Bill of Rights includes nine enumerated rights that parents of public school children are afforded, including but not limited to the right to: examine textbooks, curriculum, and supplemental material used in their child’s classroom; inspect their child’s school records; be notified if a criminal action is deemed to have been committed against their child or by their child; be notified if law enforcement personnel question their child; be notified if their child is taken or removed from the school campus without parental permission; and receive written notice and have the option to opt their child out of instruction on topics associated with sexual activity. This bill recognizes that parental involvement is a significant factor in increasing student achievement and that access to student information encourages such involvement. If you are a parent of a child attending public school, this is an important new development in Louisiana law of which you should be aware. You can read Act No. 699, in its entirety, here: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=915718.
