The School Board recognizes and values parents and families as their child(ren)’s first teachers and decision-makers in education. The Board believes that student learning is more likely to occur when there is an effective partnership between the school and the student's parents and family. Such a partnership between the home and school and greater engagement of parents in the education of their children generally result in higher academic achievement, improved student behavior, and reduced absenteeism.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), defines the term "parent" to include a legal guardian or other person standing in loco parentis (such as a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child lives, or a person who is legally responsible for the child's welfare). This definition in consistent with F.S. 1000.21, which defines the term "parent" as "either or both parents of a student, any guardian of a student, any person in a parental relationship to a student, or any person exercising supervisory authority over a student in place of the parent".
For purposes of this policy, in addition to parent or parents of the child, the term "family" is used to include a child's primary caregivers, who are not their biological parents, such as foster caregivers, grandparents, and other family members and responsible adults who play a significant role in providing for the well-being of the child.
Please reference the following policies to learn more about parent engagement policy that supports your knowledge and access to successful parent engagement within the School District of Indian River County.