Open Records/Right to Know

Dear Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s):

Your child attends a school that receives Federal Title I funds to assist students in meeting state achievement standards.

Throughout the school year, we will be providing you with important information about this and your child’s education. This letter lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child.

At William Penn School District, we are very proud of our teachers and feel they are ready for the coming school year, and are prepared to give your child a high-quality education. As defined in ESEA, Title I School(s) must meet federal regulations related to teacher qualifications. These regulations allow you to learn more about your child’s teachers’ training and credentials.

We are happy to provide this information to you. At any time, you may ask:

• Whether the teacher met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching,
• Whether the teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state qualifications were waived, and
• What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.

You may also ask whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional. If your child receives this assistance, we can provide you with information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law in December 2015 and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1956 (ESEA), includes additional right-to-know requests. At any time, parents and family members can request:

• Information on policies regarding student participation in assessments and procedures for opting out, and
• Information on required assessments that include subject matter tested, purpose of the test, source of the requirement (if applicable), amount of time it takes students to complete the test, and time and format of disseminating results.

Our district is committed to helping your child develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking he/she needs to succeed in school and beyond. That commitment includes making sure that all of our teachers and paraprofessionals meet applicable Pennsylvania state requirements.

If you would like to receive specific information about your child’s teacher or paraprofessional, please contact your school principal.

William Penn School District is fully committed to the success of your child. We appreciate your partnership in our efforts to provide the best education for your child.

Sincerely,
Tara V. Brown
Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services
William Penn School District