KB1 Student and Parent/Guardian Rights and Responsibilities

Revised 3/5/25

The Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Board of Education believes a child’s successful education is the result of a collaborative effort among parents/guardians, individuals with caregiver authorization, students, and school staff. To support this shared effort, we recognize each party in this partnership has rights and responsibilities to promote academic success. This policy shall not conflict with or supersede the procedural safeguards and parent rights outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). We also recognize that engaging families and community partners more effectively means valuing and incorporating the histories and cultures of our families, communities, and students as the foundation of our educational programs. The following identification of these rights and responsibilities is a general list to provide guidelines and is not intended to be comprehensive or all-inclusive. It is the APS Board of Education’s objective to list and communicate these rights and responsibilities in a format that is convenient and accessible for students, parents/guardians, and individuals with caregiver authorization.

Rights: School Relationship and CommunicationStudent/Parents/Guardians and individuals with caregiver authorization, in their relationship with schools, have the right:

To a school environment that is safe and supportive of learning
To be treated with courtesy and respect by all staff
To a mutually supportive and respectful partnership with the school
To be informed in advance about school rules, school calendars, activities, attendance policies, dress codes, and procedures for visiting the school
To be notified on a timely basis of an absence from school
To be notified promptly about disciplinary action and to have rules enforced in a consistent manner
To be included in educational decisions
To expect school outreach ensures all families have opportunities to participate, including those for whom English is not their primary language.
To participate in the instructional process, including but not limited to opportunities to engage in school-scheduled events and established activities intended to promote engagement, such as parent-teacher associations, instructional ouncils, and community school programs
To receive timely communication regarding school and district events or to be informed of where events are posted on the school or district website
To receive communication from the school in their home language or have access to translation of all materials to the greatest extent possible
To have access to all educational records of a school district concerning their child in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
To question anything in their child’s educational records that they believe is inaccurate, misleading, or an invasion of privacy in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
To have objections to presentations or to print or multimedia instructional materials reviewed by the superintendent of a designee.

Responsibilities: School Relationship and Communication Student/Parents/Guardians and individuals with caregiver authorization, in their relationship with schools, have the responsibility:

To support school personnel as partners in the student’s education, being mindful of courtesy and respect
To support school, district, and classroom rules for student behavior and work together to promote a positive and safe school climate
To become informed about the school’s policies and programs through a review of school and district student handbooks
To collaborate in decisions related to the student’s education
To promote and follow school rules and procedures
To take care of school materials and facilities
To review communications from the school
To supply accurate, updated information (including current address and telephone numbers) to the school
To monitor their child’s progress and communicate with the child’s teacher(s)

Rights: Academic Success

Student/Parents/Guardians and individuals with caregiver authorization, in order to support high academic achievement for their children, have the right:

To expect a rigorous and high-quality instructional program
To expect textbooks, materials, and supplies that reinforce a high-quality, rigorous learning environment
To expect curriculum and instruction that is culturally and linguistically responsive.
To the objective study of controversial issues
To expect qualified teachers to follow the APS staff handbook, as well as policies and procedural directives
To visit their child’s classrooms in accordance with school policies and procedures
To receive information concerning the academic performance standards, proficiencies, or skills their child is expected to accomplish
To have access to school performance data
To request clarification about their child’s curriculum materials and assignments in accordance with district and school policies and procedures
To receive timely information and assistance from school personnel regarding their child’s academic progress and well-being
To be informed of the appropriate school personnel to contact if problems arise regarding their child’s academic progress and/or well-being and the process for addressing concerns
To receive information about, and to agree or deny permission, concerning psychological testing involving their child in accordance with federal and state law
To expect their child to receive a full day of education or instruction (as legally defined)
To meet with their child’s teacher according to school policies and procedures

Responsibilities: Academic Success

Student/Parents/Guardians and individuals with caregiver authorization, in order to support high academic achievement for their children, promote the following in collaboration with staff:

The importance of attending school every day
Being at school and in class on time, and prepared to learn
Learning that takes place in the classroom and at home to include homework
Engagement in literacy and numeracy activities with their child
High expectations of learning for their child
Communication with the student’s teacher and review progress in the APS student information systems

Administrative Position:

Deputy Superintendent of Leadership and Learning
Associate Superintendent for School Climate and Supports

References:

Legal Ref:

§22-5-4 NMSA 1978
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(g)
§32A-6A-14, 15 NMSA 1978, Consent for services; children under fourteen years of age
§24-7A-6.2 NMSA 1978, Consent to health care for certain minors fourteen years of age or older
40-10B-15 NMSA 1978, NM Caregiver Authorization Affidavit
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1415(d) 34 C.F.R. § 300.121 34 C.F.R. § 300.500-536

Board Policy Cross Ref:

Procedural Directive Ref:

NSBA/NEPN Classification: KBBA

Introduced: June 6, 2022
Adopted: November 16, 2022

Reviewed: January 13, 2025

Revised: January 13, 2025

Reviewed: March 5, 2025

Revised: March 5, 2025

This page was last updated on: December 1, 2022.