§2164a Rights of Parents of Children Attending Schools Operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity

Summary

Gives parents of children in schools run by the Department of Defense Education Activity clear rights and tells those schools what they must share and do. Parents can look over the school’s curriculum and instructional materials, be told if academic standards change, meet each child’s teacher at least twice each school year at a time both agree on, see the library’s book list, speak to the school advisory committee or board, get data about discipline when a student is suspended or expelled (unless the law bars it), and be told about any plans to cut gifted or accelerated programs. Schools must post course curricula, academic standards, and proposed changes on a public website; offer the teacher meetings and give parents notice at the start of the school year; give access to the online library catalog; notify parents promptly about plans to end gifted or accelerated programs; notify and get written parent consent before giving medical exams or screenings (except in an emergency when parents must be told right away and told why); and get written consent before collecting medical information and let parents inspect it on request. The right to see the school’s library list and the school duty to provide the online library catalog do not take effect until two years after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. Requirements do not apply if they would break a federal or State law. School advisory committees or boards must let parents speak to them at least four times a year. Definitions: “medical examination or screening” means a physical exam by a health care provider (not a non-clinical staff check); “school” means a DoD domestic dependent elementary or secondary school or any DoDEA-run elementary or secondary program for dependents.