JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Following the passage of the statewide law nicknamed the “Parents Bill of Rights,” Duval County Public Schools’ Policy Handbook Review Committee discussed its version of the measure.
The proposed policy does not grant parents any additional “rights” on the district level but instead compels the district to provide easier access to information about parental rights that are already in place -- and to create frameworks for more parental involvement in their child’s education.
“The School Board is committed to honoring the rights of parents and promoting parental involvement in the District,” the policy states in its opening paragraph. “The Board recognizes the fundamental rights of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children. To this end, the Board establishes the following standards and expectations. The forgoing policy supersedes all current practices and shall be deemed incorporated, as if fully set forth, in the student code of conduct.”
The measure brings DCPS into compliance with a state statute that the Florida Legislature passed and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in April.
Newly-inaugurated Duval County School Board Chairman Darryl Willie said transparency and communication are key traits for the district to serve residents.
“We’re just thrilled to be able to actually mirror that and make sure that parents locally understand where to find it,” Willie said. “So, on our website, on our school websites, they’ll be able to access that to see exactly what that means for them.”
The bill is expected to go before the full school board for a vote in January.