Parents Bill of Rights

Parents with children enrolled in the public school system are provided certain rights pursuant to the Georgia’s Parents Bill of Rights (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-786).  The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System has procedures in place to ensure that parents and guardians may exercise those rights.  The following is a guide to applicable District procedures.  Additional details can be found in the policies and procedures referenced below. 

A. REVIEW RECORDS RELATING TO HIS OR HER MINOR CHILD

Education Records:  The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords Parents and Eligible Students certain rights with respect to a student's Education Records.  Parents/guardians or eligible students at the child’s enrolled school should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect.  The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.  For additional information regarding education records, please see Board Policy JR (Student Records).

B. ACCESS TO INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

A parent/legal guardian may obtain information about his/her child’s courses of study, including, but not limited to parental access for the review of instructional resources that are intended for use in the child’s classroom by written request to the school principal where their child attends school.  For additional information regarding the selection of Instructional Materials, see Board Policy IFAA (Instructional Resources Selection and Adoption).

C. OBJECTIONS TO INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

The District provides multiple procedures that enable parents/guardians to express their objections related to instructional materials.  Complaints based on allegedly harmful content of a sexual nature may be raised under Board Policy IKBC.  Complaints regarding accessible books and materials, including those located in the media center, can be brought pursuant to the “Reconsideration of Materials” process found in IFBD-R.  Other objections related to instructional materials may be submitted in writing by the parent/guardian to the principal of the school where their child is enrolled.

D. SEX EDUCATION: WITHDRAW HIS OR HER MINOR CHILD FROM THE SCHOOL'S PRESCRIBED COURSE OF STUDY

Any parent or legal guardian of a child to whom a course of study in sex education is to be taught shall have the right to elect, in writing, that such child does not receive such course of study as defined in Board Policy IDBA: Sex Education.

E. PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEO, OR VOICE RECORDINGS:

Student media release information is provided when a student is registered with the school system.  A parent/guardian must indicate whether they allow their children to be included in photographs, video, or voice recordings at the time of registration.  If there are any changes throughout the school year, a parent/guardian may provide written notice that photographs or video/voice recordings of his/her child are not permitted, subject to applicable public safety and security exceptions, by notifying the school principal in writing.