|
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, serving the 37th District Serving Rainier Valley, Madrona, North Beacon Hill, Rainier Beach, Mt. Baker, Leschi, Columbia City, southern Capitol Hill, Skyway and parts of Renton. |
Santos champions ‘bill of rights’ for students and families
House votes to put rights explicitly in statute
March 10, 2009
OLYMPIA – The state House of Representatives has passed a ‘bill of
rights’ for students and families in public schools.
Rep. Sharon
Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle), who sponsored the measure, says that while these
rights may seem obvious at first glance, it is important for them to be
specifically laid out and communicated to students and their parents or
guardians as they navigate the public school system.
“It’s been often
said that parents are their children’s first and best educators,” Santos
said. “But we haven’t done enough to remove the barriers that prevent
parents from fully participating in their child’s education.”
Among
the rights that students and families would be afforded by school districts
are:
• The right to be treated respectfully
• The right to have
their questions answered and messages returned in a timely fashion
• The
right to view all district policies, including those concerning bullying and
sexual harassment
Santos’ bill would also require school districts
to communicate these rights on an annual basis in a format to best ensure
that students and families understand.
An additional feature of the
measure would give the Office of the Education Ombudsman the task of
reporting to the Legislature on school districts’ implementation of these
rights.
“The OEO has been a successful advocate for students and
families in public education since its creation in 2006,” Santos said. “This
will give the office a little more muscle, and help families across the
state truly feel like they are partners in the education process.”
The bill number is
HB 1762. It now heads to the state Senate for consideration.