ESSA Parents Right to Know

Dear Parents and Guardians:

 On December 10, 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law as Public Law Number 114-95. ESSA reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 “to ensure that every child achieves.”(1) ESSA is the nation’s general education law and, as such, has been revised by Congress many times over the years. The last reauthorization took place in 2001 and was called the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act/ PARENTS’ RIGHT-TO-KNOW, this is a notification from Kingsport City School  to every parent of a student in a Title I school that you have the right to request and receive in a timely manner: a) information regarding the professional qualifications of your student’s classroom teachers.

The information regarding the professional qualifications of your student’s classroom teachers shall include the following:

1. If the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade level and subject areas taught; a. If the teacher is teaching under emergency or temporary status in which the state qualifications and licensing criteria are waived; b. The teachers baccalaureate degree major, graduate certification, and field of discipline; and c. Whether the student is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications [ESSA 1112(e)(1)(A)(i)-(ii)]
2. Information regarding any State or local educational agency policy regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by section 1111(b)(2) and by the State or local educational agency, which shall include a policy, procedure, or parental right to opt the child out of such assessment, where applicable. [ESSA 1112(e)(2)(A)] c) In addition to the above information you will be notified if your student has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet the applicable state certification for licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned. [ESSA 1112(e)(1)(B)(ii)] If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Federal Programs Director, Dr. Lamar Smith at 423-378-8598.