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Parental Involvement Policy 1310/4002

I. Purpose

The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) recognizes that the education of students is a shared responsibility among the school, parents/guardians, families, and the community. Research shows that meaningful parental involvement contributes significantly to student achievement, attendance, and positive behavior. ENCSD is committed to fostering strong school-family partnerships that support and enhance student learning, development, and well-being, in compliance with federal and state laws—including the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) policies and procedures. This policy applies to all parents/guardians, including those with disabilities or limited English proficiency.

II. Definition of Parent and Family Engagement

For the purposes of this policy, parent and family engagement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, consistent with the definition in ESSA § 8101(39). This includes opportunities for parents to participate in the planning, review, and improvement of school programs, as required by ESSA and NCDPI policy, and ensuring that:

  1. Parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning.
  2. Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school.
  3. Parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and advisory roles related to their child’s educational program.

III. Expectations for Parental Involvement

ENCSD shall:

  1. Develop a Parental Involvement Plan:
    ENCSD will create and maintain an annual Parental Involvement Plan, developed, reviewed, and improved with parent input, as required by ESSA § 1116(a)(2). The plan will identify strategies, timelines, and opportunities to engage families in the academic, social, and emotional development of their children. The plan will encourage participation in school events, communication efforts, student support initiatives, and parent education opportunities.
  2. Ensure Accessibility:
    ENCSD will provide information and school reports in formats and languages parents can understand, as required by ESSA, Section 504, and ADA. Communication with families will be in their preferred language or mode of communication, including American Sign Language (ASL), written English, and other accessible formats.
  3. Promote Two-Way Communication:
    Use multiple formats (e.g., printed notices, emails, texts, videophone, interpreter-supported meetings) to share information about student progress, school programs, and opportunities for engagement, in accordance with ESSA and NCDPI guidance.
  4. Encourage Participation:
    Invite and encourage parents to participate in school events, IEP and transition planning, behavior support meetings, and school improvement activities, including Title I and IDEA-related meetings and processes.
  5. Respect Parent Input:
    Actively seek and incorporate parent feedback into school-level decision-making, planning, and program development.
  6. Support Home Learning:
    Provide resources and training to support parents in reinforcing learning goals and developmental skills at home.

IV. Student/Family Handbook Distribution

ENCSD shall provide every family with a Student/Family Handbook each school year. This handbook outlines student expectations, policies, and procedures and will be:

  • Distributed to families annually at the beginning of the school year or at enrollment.
  • Made available online at www.encsd.net for ongoing access.
  • Provided in accessible formats and languages as needed.
  • Include annual notification of rights under ESSA, IDEA, FERPA, and Title IX.

V. Annual Notifications

ENCSD will provide annual written notification to parents/guardians of:

  • Their rights under federal and state law, including FERPA, IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and Title IX.
  • The school’s policies and procedures regarding parental involvement, student discipline, attendance, and health services.
  • The availability of the Student/Family Handbook and any updates.
  • The process for reviewing and requesting amendments to their child’s educational records.
  • The availability of assistance for parents with disabilities or limited English proficiency.

VI. Opportunities to Withhold Consent / Opt-Out Notifications

Parents/guardians will be notified annually and given the opportunity to withhold consent or opt out of the following, as applicable:

  • Release of directory information under FERPA.
  • Participation in surveys, physical examinations, or screenings not required by law.
  • Participation in certain school programs, activities, or clubs.
  • Use of student photographs or video for public relations purposes.
  • Participation in community or external agency services provided at school.
  • Per Session Law 2025-84 HB 805, students of different biological sexes are prohibited from sharing sleeping quarters.  The only exceptions are if the students are immediate family members (for example, siblings) OR if the school has written permission from the parents/guardians of all students sharing the quarters.

ENCSD will provide clear instructions on how to exercise opt-out rights, and all opt-out forms will be available in accessible formats and languages.

VII. Parental Permission Required / Opt-In

ENCSD will obtain written parental permission (opt-in) prior to:

  • Administration of non-emergency medical examinations or screenings.
  • Participation in school-sponsored research projects or surveys that collect protected information.
  • Involvement in certain extracurricular activities or field trips.
  • Release of personally identifiable information to third parties, except as permitted by law.

VIII. Procedures for Parental Involvement in Student Health

Parents/guardians will be:

  • Informed of all health services offered at school, including screenings, immunizations, and counseling.
  • Notified in advance and given the opportunity to consent or decline participation in non-emergency health services.
  • Invited to participate in the development and review of their child’s Individualized Health Plan (IHP), if applicable.
  • Provided with information on how to communicate health concerns or provide medical updates to school staff.

IX. Community Services Available

ENCSD will provide information to families about available community services and support, including:

  • Counseling and mental health resources.
  • Family support and advocacy organizations.
  • Health and wellness programs.
  • After-school and enrichment programs.
  • Services for students with disabilities or special needs.

Information about community services will be included in the Student/Family Handbook, on the school website, and shared during parent meetings and events.

X. Parental Involvement – School Improvement Plan

ENCSD shall:

  1. Involve parents in the development, implementation, and review of the School Improvement Plan, in accordance with NC General Statute § 115C-105.41 and NCDPI policy.
  2. Offer flexible meeting times and formats (in person, virtual, or through written communications) to encourage participation, with advance notice in accessible formats.
  3. Provide guidance and materials to help parents understand:
    • Academic standards and expectations.
    • State and local assessments.
    • Their child’s progress and how to support learning at home.

XI. School-Parent Compact

ENCSD will develop, in collaboration with parents, a School-Parent Compact that outlines:

  • The school’s responsibilities to provide a supportive learning environment.
  • The parent’s role in supporting their child’s education.
  • The means of effective communication and collaboration.

This compact will be jointly developed with parents of students, reviewed annually with parent input, revised as necessary, and distributed at the beginning of the school year in accessible formats and languages, as required by ESSA § 1116(d).

XII. Parent Requests for Information

Parents may request, in writing or by accessible means (e.g., email, videophone), information regarding the following:

  1. The professional qualifications of their child’s teachers and staff who provide instruction.
  2. The level of achievement and academic growth of their child on state assessments.
  3. Curriculum materials and instructional methods used in their child’s education.
  4. Their child’s educational records, in accordance with FERPA.
  5. Any school policies or procedures related to IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and Title IX compliance.

ENCSD will notify parents annually of their right to request information, as required by ESSA § 1112(e)(1)(A) and NCDPI policy, and will respond to requests in a timely and accessible manner (generally within 10 business days).

XIII. Title IX Compliance

ENCSD shall ensure that all parental engagement practices are compliant with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. All parents and families will be informed of:

  • Their rights under Title IX.
  • How to report concerns related to sex-based discrimination.
  • The name and contact information of ENCSD’s Title IX Coordinator, available at www.encsd.net.

ENCSD will provide annual training for staff on Title IX requirements and procedures, and Title IX notices will be included in all major school communications and handbooks.

XIV. Roles and Responsibilities

A. Superintendent

  • Ensure implementation, evaluation, and reporting of this policy.
  • Oversee the development of the Parental Involvement Plan.
  • Ensure compliance with ESSA, IDEA, Title IX, FERPA, Section 504, ADA, and NCDPI policy.

B. Principal

  • Maintain a welcoming school culture for families.
  • Ensure staff compliance with this policy and coordinate family engagement efforts.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant federal and state laws and NCDPI policies.

C. Teachers and Staff

  • Engage in regular, respectful communication with parents.
  • Provide parents with academic resources and updates.
  • Participate in training regarding compliance with parental involvement requirements.

D. Parents/Guardians

  • Engage in their child’s learning.
  • Participate in school activities and decision-making processes.
  • Communicate with school personnel as partners in student success.

E. Family Engagement Coordinator

  • Serve as a point of contact for parent engagement efforts.
  • Support the implementation and evaluation of this policy.
  • Facilitate communication between families and school staff.

XV. Evaluation and Review

ENCSD will conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of its parental involvement policy and practices. This will include:

  • Reviewing feedback from a representative sample of families and staff, including those from diverse backgrounds and with disabilities.
  • Assessing participation rates and barriers to engagement.
  • Updating the policy and involvement plan based on evaluation outcomes.
  • Sharing the revised policy and plan with families in accessible formats and languages.

XVI. Grievance Procedure

Parents who believe their rights under this policy have been violated may file a grievance in accordance with ENCSD’s grievance procedures, which align with NCDPI and federal complaint procedures. Information about the grievance process will be provided in accessible formats and languages.

XVII. Non-Retaliation

ENCSD prohibits retaliation against any parent or guardian who participates in or advocates under this policy.

XVIII. Policy Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in federal, state, and NCDPI requirements. All updates will be communicated to families in accessible formats and languages.

Legal References

  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 20 U.S.C. § 6318
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
  • NC General Statutes §§ 115C-47, 115C-105.41
  • NC G.S. §115C-76.110 (enacted by S.L. 2025-84)
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