Page 10 - Atlanta Public Schools Student Handbook

8
Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act Notice (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents/guardians the right to have access to their child’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended,
and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents/guardians to the student (“eligible student”). The FERPA statute is found at 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and the FERPA regulations are found at 34 CFR Part 99. Please visit this website for more information: FERPA.
FERPA https://studentprivacy.ed.gov
Each school is to keep any opt out provided in the student’s permanent record folder and a copy should be forwarded by school mail to the Accountability Department, Attn: Director of Research and Evaluation, Atlanta Public Schools, Center for Learning and Leadership, 130 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment
PPRA affords parents/guardians of elementary and secondary students certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. Please visit this website for more information.
PPRA https://studentprivacy.ed.gov
Parent’s Right to Know
In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act statute, APS informs parents/guardians that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s). The following information may be requested:
• whether the teacher has met the Georgia Professional Standards Commission requirements for certification for the grade level and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
• whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other provisional status through which Georgia qualifications or certification criteria have been waived.
• the college major and any graduate certification or degree held by the teacher.
• whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications
If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s qualifications, please contact the principal.
APS Nondiscrimination
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) requires compliance with all discrimination laws, including but not limited to: Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Equal Pay Act of 1963, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (Age Act), Age Discrimination and Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education believes that all students are entitled to equal educational opportunities regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. No student shall be subjected to discrimination or harassment. Atlanta Public Schools has established both informal and formal procedures for resolving any complaints of discrimination, harassment, or bullying. Allegations of discrimination should be reported immediately to an administrator or counselor at the school, center, or any school event. See Policy JAA.
Title IX & Equal Educational Opportunities for Students
In accordance with the provisions of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in employment.
No individual shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under
any academic, extracurricular, or other educational program or
activity operated by this District. Board policy prohibits acts of sexual harassment that may not rise to the level of a violation of federal law. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to APS’s Title IX Coordinators, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both
The District’s Title IX Coordinators are:
Student Matters
Felisha Jackson, Compliance Coordinator
Felisha.jackson@atlanta.k12.ga.us 404-802-1946
Employee Matters
Kawanna Findlay, Director Office of Employee Relations
Kawanna.findlay@atlanta.k12.ga.us 404-802-2375
Atlanta Public Schools’ nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located at: http://www.atlantapublicschools.us/titleix. To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to http://www.atlantapublicschools.us/titleix Contact information for OCR can be found here: https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr
Transgender Students
The district values the uniqueness of every student; therefore, whenever a student identifies themselves as being transgender, if the family desires to do so, the school will collaborate with the student and family to develop a plan for the student.
Numbers You Need to Know
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE – 877-SAY-STOP (1-877-729-7867) Anonymous/Confidential report of drugs, weapons, bullying, threats, or other safety issues. Available 24/7.
NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE – 888-373-7888 – OR TEXT “BEFREE” (233733)
Toll free/confidential. Assistance, safety planning, emotional support, and connections to local resources for victims in crisis. Available 24/7.
GEORGIA HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE – 866-363-4842
Trained law enforcement agents, advocates, and first responders are available to provide support. Available 24/7.
GEORGIA CRISIS AND ACCESS HOTLINE – 800-715-4225
Toll free/Confidential. Access to mental health and mobile crisis services in Georgia. Available 24/7.
DIVISION OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES – 855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453)
Call DFCS Child Protective Services to report child abuse and/or neglect.
PARTNERSHIP AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – 404-873-1766
PADV offers a 24-hour crisis line that provides safety planning, information and support to callers in immediate danger, and referrals to community resources throughout the state of Georgia.
STATE OF GEORGIA COVID-19 HOTLINE – 844-442-2681