Parental communication: teacher meetings.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not specify how schools will implement or fund the technology needed for phone calls or video chats.

Parental Communication: Teacher Meetings

The bill allows parents or guardians who cannot attend in-person meetings with their child's teacher to communicate through phone calls or video chats.

What This Bill Does

• Gives parents and guardians the right to talk to teachers by phone or video if they can't meet in person.
• Removes outdated information from existing laws.

Who It Names or Affects

• Parents and guardians of children in public schools
• Teachers at public schools

Terms To Know

2-way telephonic service

A phone call where both people can talk to each other.

2-way audiovisual platform

A video chat where both people can see and hear each other.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how schools will pay for the new technology needed.
• It is unclear if all parents want to use phone or video chats instead of in-person meetings.

Official Summary Text

SB 1412, as amended, Rubio.
Elementary and secondary education.
Parental communication: teacher meetings.
Existing law provides that parents and guardians of children enrolled in public schools have the right and should have the opportunity, as mutually supportive and respectful partners in the education of their children within the public schools, to be informed by the school, and to participate in the education of their children, as specified, including by, among other things, meeting with their child’s teacher or teachers and the principal of the school in which their child is enrolled within a reasonable time of their request.
This bill would provide that parents or guardians of children enrolled in publc schools also have the right to communicate with
their child’s teacher using a 2-way telephonic service or a 2-way audiovisual platform if the parent or guardian is unable to attend a meeting in person. By imposing new duties on public schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would delete an obsolete reference.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools in this state and authorizes local educational agencies throughout the state to operate schools and provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact future legislation relating to elementary and secondary education.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF