NOTICE OF RIGHTS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

  • The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) affords parents certain rights regarding the conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

    1. Consent before minor students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)
      1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent
      2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family
      3. Sex behavior or attitudes
      4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior
      5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships
      6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, physicians or ministers
      7. Religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent
      8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility
    2. Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of:
      1. Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding
      2. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law
      3. Activities involving collection, disclosure or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute that information to others
    3. Inspect upon request and before administration or use:
      1. Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales or other distribution purposes
      2. Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum

    These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.

    CMS will, at least 10 days prior to administration of a protected information survey, make available to parents the opportunity to review (i) the full text of any protected information survey, and (ii) the process for providing consent to participate in the protected information survey. These opportunities to review will be provided electronically and in person. No student will be permitted to participate in a protected information survey without the prior written or electronic consent of the parent

    Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

    Family Policy Compliance Office
    U.S. Department of Education

    400 Maryland Avenue, SW
    Washington, DC 20202-8520

    Parents Bill of Rights

    On August 15, 2023, the North Carolina legislature passed the Parents' Bill of Rights. The purpose of the Act is to enumerate the rights of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care and mental health of their minor children. To better serve our families, the District created a dedicated webpage that includes information, forms and resources that will help parents/guardians access information, request information, report concerns or submit objections, opt in for- and receive notification about specific things as it relates to their child(ren) who attend our schools.

    Parents’ Bill of Rights Information website: https://www.cmsk12.org/Page/10200

    The Board also created and/or updated policies to incorporate the provisions of the Parents’ Bill of Rights:

     S-PRNT- Parent Involvement in Education: https://www.cmsk12.org/Page/10155

    A-ILM - Instructional and Library Media Center Materials: https://www.cmsk12.org/Page/10156

    A-CHE- Comprehensive Health Education Program: https://www.cmsk12.org/Page/10157

    S-HLTH- Student Physical and Mental Health: https://www.cmsk12.org/Page/10158