STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
INTRODUCTION: The success of the educational process in the Teaneck schools calls for clearly expressed and fairly administered guidelines for student conduct. To devise a realistic, fair set of guidelines has been the task of a committee of students, teachers and administrators who have worked diligently. The guidelines are offered to students of Teaneck in the hope that they will read them carefully and will gain greater understanding of their rights and recognition of their responsibilities.
FREE ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION In New Jersey, every person over five and under 20 years of age is entitled to a free public education in accordance with the law. In addition, students eligible for special education are entitled to a free education through the year the student turns 21 years of age.
SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS Along with the right to free public education comes the responsibility to obey school regulations and those who enforce them, the school authorities. If a student believes a regulation conflicts with his / her rights, it is one’ s right and responsibility to follow proper grievance procedures to change them.
EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY Every student in the public schools is entitled to an equal educational opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin or social or economic status and sexual orientation.
HAIR AND DRESS The Board recognizes that each student has his / her own personal style and individual preferences relative to dress and grooming. However, in the interest of maintaining the protection of health, safety and order in the educational process, the Board has the authority to impose its judgment in those instances when a student’ s dress or grooming may distract or disrupt the educational process. The Board may exercise its authority when students exhibit gang related, obscene, pornographic, and other similar types of apparel or accessories, which may disrupt the educational process in accordance with its policy and regulation 5511. A student who fails to comply with this provision may be subject to discipline.
FLAG SALUTE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE New Jersey law requires the student to show respect for the United States flag. This means the student is not required to say the Pledge of Allegiance, but must remain respectfully quiet while it is being recited. No student can be required to stand during the pledge of allegiance.( West Virginia v. Barnette; Lipp v. Morris)
DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE The Board recognizes that the distribution of literature, both school sponsored and pupil created, is an exercise of freedom of speech. However, the Board maintains an interest in the protection of safety and order in the educational process. To that extent, such materials may be distributed on school premises only upon advance written approval by the principal or his / her designee and in accordance with the restrictions set forth in Board Regulation 5721 and Policy 2432. In accordance with the law, the Board prohibits distribution of partisan political literature supporting or opposing candidates or public questions in any school election on school property. The Board also prohibits the distribution of pornographic literature and literature aimed at creating violence, hostility and obscenity.
STUDENT RECORDS Student records include information related to an individual student gathered within or outside of the school district and maintained within the school system, regardless of the physical form in which it is maintained. Student records include a student’ s personal data( name, address, telephone number, etc.), as well as records of daily attendance, descriptions of student progress, and status of physical health.
Access to student records is available only to the student’ s parent / guardian, adult student, appropriate school personnel acting in the educational interest of the student( such as a counselor, physician, or expert working on behalf of the District), and others as permitted access by rules of the State Board of Education. The District may deny access to parents / legal guardians / adult students only upon court order. The parent / legal guardian / adult student may appeal such denial.
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