FILE: IHAD
PARENT CONFERENCES
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board realizes that close communication between home and school is an important factor in establishing a highly effective school program. Planned conferences between parents and teachers are an important way to bring about understanding and close cooperation between the home and school. Close communication should be maintained through conferences with all parents, not just with those where academic or other problems suggest the need for closer communication.
Conferences between parents and teachers regarding a child should be treated by the teacher as an opportunity to help the child and every effort should be made to make the conference constructive, objective, and pleasant. Conferences should provide an opportunity for a mutual exchange of information and ideas for the welfare of the child.
Occasionally parents will call on a teacher during the time the teacher has responsibilities for class instruction. Although the purpose of such a visit may be worthy, teachers should discourage the practice and suggest that the parent arrange for a conference outside of regular school time. Teachers should be prepared to give after-school or preschool time for conferences when desirable. Teachers shall be expected to request additional conferences with parents as the needs may indicate.
The principal or supervisor should be present at any parent-teacher conference when there is reason to anticipate an atmosphere of hostility.
REQUIRED PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents may be required to attend a conference with their student's teacher/principal/school counselor under the following circumstances:
When a student is removed from a classroom by the teacher, the
teacher may require that the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the
student have a conference with the teacher in the presence of the
principal or his/her designee before the student is readmitted to
the classroom.
Upon the third removal from the same classroom during
the school year, a conference between the teacher or other appropriate
school employee and the student's parent, tutor, or legal guardian
shall be required prior to the student being readmitted to the classroom.
In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee requires
the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a student under eighteen (18)
to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student's behavior,
and, after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully
refuses to attend, the principal or designee shall file a complaint
with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.
Subsequent to the suspension or recommendation for expulsion
of a student, a conference shall be scheduled with the student's parent,
tutor, or legal guardian and the principal, as a requirement for readmitting
the student to school. Notification of the conference shall
be by telephone, or in certain cases, by certified letter. Such
conference shall be held within five (5) school days of mailing the
certified letter or other contact. On not more than one
occasion each school year when the parent, tutor, or legal guardian
refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting
the student is in the best interest of the student. On
any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the student shall
not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, legal guardian, court,
or other appointed representative responds.
When a student is suspended a second time within one school
year, the principal may require that a counseling session be held
with the parent, student, and the school counselor. If
no counselor is available, the principal may require a conference
between the parent, student and all the student's teachers and the
principal or other administrator.
Upon a student’s third unexcused absence or unexcused tardy, the principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent or legal guardian in writing and shall hold a conference with the parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian shall sign a receipt acknowledging notification. Tardy, for the purposes of this enumerated item, shall be as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:233.
Revised: September, 2008
Approved: October 16, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:233, 17:406.7, 17:416
La. Children's Code, Art. 730, Art. 731
Board minutes, 10-16-08
East Baton Rouge Parish School Board