PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOW

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law December 10, 2015 and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). ESSA builds upon the work states, districts, and schools implemented over the last few years. The reauthorized law prioritizes excellence and equity for our students and supports great educators. As part of ESSA, districts and schools must provide parents with the following information:

1.  The professional qualifications of teachers and instructional paraprofessionals.

2.  Individual report cards that lets you know how your child is progressing.

The Title l, Part A Program allows schools and districts to offer services and interventions that support struggling learners. Title l, Part A is one of many programs governed by ESSA.

MANDATORY NOTIFICATIONS

1. Your Right to Know—Professional Qualifications of Teachers Parents of children attending Title l, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the educators who teach students core subjects—reading, English language arts and mathematics. The same applies to paraprofessionals who provide instructional support to students. At a minimum, the information given to you must explain these three essential components of an educator's qualifications. Whether the student's teacher—

1. Has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

2. Is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.

3. Is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

Qualifications of Paraprofessionals - Paraprofessionals must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. In schools that operate a schoolwide program, all paraprofessionals must have special qualifications. Schools that operate a Title l, Part A program must have a high school diploma or GED and completed the following:

1.  Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or

2.  Obtained an associate's or higher degree; or

3.  Meet a high standard of quality either through the ETS Para-Pro Assessment

REPORT CARD FOR EVERY STUDENT

You have the right to know how well your child is progressing. Schools that operate Title l, Part A programs must generate a report card for every student that explains how well that student scored on the state assessment in, at least, reading, English language arts, and mathematics.

STATE REPORT CARD

SC publishes a State Report Card online. Use this website to find important information about your school and district, such as the results of state testing, enrollment numbers, facts and figures about the teachers in your school and much more http://www.ed.sc.gov/data/report-cards/.

Parents/Guardians requesting information noted above can expect a response within 3 business days.