Parental Notification

Qualifications of Teachers and Paraprofessionals

Title I of NCLB requires local educational agencies to notify parents of children in Title I schools at the beginning of each school year, their right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of the students’ classroom teachers and any paraprofessionals providing support to the child.  “This notice must be provided in an understandable and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, provided in a language that the parents can understand.”  No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. No 107-110 1111 (h) (6) (C).  The District must respond to such requests in a timely manner.  Pursuant to 1111 (h) (6) (A) of NCLB, the information that the district is required to provide, at a minimum, to parents includes:

(i) Whether the teacher has met State qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

(ii) Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria has been waived.

(iii) The baccalaureate degree, major of the teacher, and any other graduate certification or degree.

(iv) Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Special Notice to Parents when Teacher Does Not Meet Qualifications

Title I schools are responsible for providing “timely notice that the parent’s child has been assigned, or has been taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified.”   No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. No 107-110 1111 (h) (6)(B).  Pursuant to 1111 (h) (6)(C) of NCLB, this Notice must also be provided in an understandable and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, provided in a language that the parents can understand.

For further information of a specific teacher’s qualifications, parents may refer to the Tennessee Department of Education, Teacher Licensing Web Site:  http://www.state.tn.us/education/lic/home.htm

School-wide Title 1 Programs

A district must inform eligible schools and parents of school-wide program authority under which such schools may consolidate funds from federal, state, and local sources to upgrade the entire educational program of the school.  The school must serve an eligible attendance area in which at least 40% of the children in the area or enrolled in the school are from low-income families. 

No Smoking

In compliance with the federal Pro-Children Act of 2001, and TCA 39-17, Part 18, smoking is not permitted in public and private educational facilities, including places where members of the general public assemble to engage in physical exercise, participate in athletic competition, or witness sports or other events.

No Weapons

It is unlawful to carry weapons on school property, except persons identified in TCA 39-17-1309(e).  State law prescribes a maximum penalty of six (6) years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed three thousand dollars $3,000 for carrying weapons on school property.

Directory Information

Parents of secondary school students have the right to request that their child’s name, address and telephone number not be released to a military recruiter without prior written consent.