Excused from Instruction Due to Religious Belief

(E.C. section 51240)

If any part of the instruction in health or family life education conflicts with your religious training and beliefs or personal moral conviction, or those of your child, your child shall be excused from such instruction upon your written request.

Homeless Youth Education

(42 U.S. 11432)

The District will ensure parents of homeless students are informed of educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in education of their children. Notification may address: (1) Liaison contact information; (2) Circumstances for eligibility (e.g., living in a shelter, a motel, hotel, etc.); (3) right to immediate enrollment in school of origin or school where currently residing without proof of residency, immunization records or tuberculosis skin-test results, school records, or legal guardianship papers; and (4) Right to education and other services.

Immigration Enforcement

(E.C. 234.7)

The District is committed to the success of all students and believes that every school site should be a safe and welcoming place for all students and their families irrespective of their citizenship or immigration status.

District staff shall not solicit or collect information or documents regarding the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members or provide assistance with immigration enforcement at district schools, except as may be required by state and federal law.

No student shall be denied equal rights and opportunities nor be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying in the district’s programs and activities on the basis of his/her immigration status.

Residency Retention for Migratory Children

AB 1319 is intended to minimize academic and social disruptions for migratory students. The bill added Ed. Code section 48204.7, which provides that “currently migratory children,” who are enrolled in a school district due to a parent’s or immediate family member’s temporary or seasonal employment in an agricultural or fishing activity, as defined, must be allowed to continue in their schools or origin, regardless of any change of residence during that school year, for the duration of their status of migratory children. Also, when a student’s status as a migratory child changes during the school year, school districts must: Allow K-8th grade students to continue enrollment in their schools of origin for the remainder of the school year. Migratory students’ parents/guardians must be informed of the impact that remaining in their schools of origin will have on their eligibility to receive migrant education services, such as instructional, health and welfare service and transportation.

Instruction in Comprehensive Sexual Health Education/HIV/AIDS Prevention

(E.C. sections 51934-51939), AR 6142.8

A parent or guardian of a pupil has the right to excuse their child from all or part of comprehensive sexual health education, HIV prevention education, and assessments related to that education through a passive consent (“opt-out”) process. A school district shall not require active parental consent (“opt-in”) for comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education.

At the beginning of each school year, or, for a pupil who enrolls in a school after the beginning of the school year, at the time of that pupil’s enrollment, each school district shall notify the parent or guardian of each pupil about instruction in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education and research on pupil health behaviors and risks planned for the coming year. The notice shall do all of the following:

  1. Advise the parent or guardian that written and audiovisual educational materials used in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education are available for inspection.
  2. Advise the parent or guardian whether the comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education will be taught by school district personnel or by outside consultants. A school district may provide comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education, to be taught by outside consultants, and may hold an assembly to deliver comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education by guest speakers, but if it elects to provide comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education in either of these manners, the notice shall include the date of the instruction, the name of the organization or affiliation of each guest speaker, and information stating the right of the parent or guardian to request a copy of this section, Section 51933, and Section 51934. If arrangements for this instruction are made after the beginning of the school year, notice shall be made by mail or another commonly used method of notification, no fewer than 14 days before the instruction is delivered.
  3. Include information explaining the parent’s or guardian’s right to request a copy of this chapter.
  4. Advise the parent or guardian that the parent or guardian has the right to excuse their child from comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education and that in order to excuse their child they must state their request in writing to the school district.

Right to Refrain from Harmful Use of Animals

(E.C. sections 32255-32255.6)

Your child may participate in a course during this year that utilizes live or dead animals or animal parts to help your child obtain knowledge, information, or experience required in the course. If your child chooses not to participate in the dissection of animals, and if the teacher believes that an adequate alternative education project is possible, then the teacher may work with him/her to develop and agree upon an alternative education project for the purpose of providing your child an alternate avenue for obtaining the information required by the course. The school will need a signed note from you indicating your child’s objection.

Tests on Personal Beliefs

(E.C. sections 51513 and 60614)

Unless you give written permission, your child will not be given any test, questionnaire, survey, or examination containing any questions about your child’s, or your personal beliefs or practices in sex, family life, morality, or religion.

CAASPP Program

C.C.R., Title 5, Sec. 850-870; E.C. 60600-60652; B.P. 6162.51; A.R. 6162.51

This year, students will again participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) system by taking a series of computer-based tests developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium that will provide an academic checkup for students by measuring real-world skills like critical thinking and problem solving. These assessments offer types of questions and performance tasks that require students to apply a variety of skills to complete complex tasks that will prepare them for college and the workplace. Students in grades 3-8 will be assess in English Language Arts/Literacy and mathematics. Recently-Arrived English Learners English Learners (EL) who have: (1) been enrolled in United States schools for less than 12 months are not required to take the English Language Arts/Literacy assessment but will take the mathematics assessment. STAR – Students With Exceptional Needs 5 C.C.R. 853, 853.5 individualized Education Plans (IEP) Students in Special Education programs with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) are allowed accommodations such as, Braille, extended time, or the use of a reader, scribe, or calculator. The IEP must state the specific accommodation. Also, students with current plans under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 specifying such accommodations will be tested with the prescribed accommodations. No other students are allowed testing accommodations. Students with significant cognitive disabilities take the California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA). A parent/guardian may submit to the school a written and signed request to excuse his/her child from any or all parts of the CAASPP tests. The District and its employees may discuss the CAASPP program with parents/guardian and may inform them of the availability of exemptions. However, the District and its employees shall not solicit or encourage any written exemption request on behalf of any student or group of students.

CELDT (California English Learner Development Test)

The program of English Learners is assessed by Pioneer Union Elementary School District as required by state and federal law, consistent with the district’s Mast Plan for English Learners. The progress of English Learners in acquiring English is measured annually through the CELDT.