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East Central

ISD

2024-2025

Parent & Student

Handbook

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East Central ISD Student Handbook

Accessibility

2024-2025 School Year

If you have difficulty accessing the information in this document because of disability, please

contact john.hernandez@ecisd.net.

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Table of Content

East Central ISD 2024-2025

East Central ISD Student Handbook............................................................................................................................................2

Accessibility...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Table of Contents..................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Preface.................................................................................................................................................................................. 15

Section I: Parental Rights.......................................................................................................................................................16

Consent, Opt-Out, and Refusal Rights...................................................................................................................................16

[See Consent to Instruction of Prevention of Child Abuse, Family Violence, Dating Violence, and Sex Trafficking ]............ 18

Consent Before Instruction on Prevention of Child Abuse, Family Violence, Dating Violence, and Sex Trafficking.............. 18

Annual Notification............................................................................................................................................................... 18

Consent to Display a Student’s Original Works and Personal Information............................................................................19

Consent to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction if a Student is under Age 14........................................20

Consent to Video or Audio Record a Student when Not Otherwise Permitted by Law........................................................ 20

Limiting Electronic Communications with Students by District Employees.......................................................................... 21

Objecting to the Release of Directory Information............................................................................................................... 22

Directory information will be released in accordance with local policy................................................................................ 22

Objecting to the Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education (Secondary

Grade Levels Only)................................................................................................................................................................ 23

“Opting Out” of Participation in Other Types of Surveys or Screenings and the Disclosure of Personal Information.......... 24

Exceptions are hearing, vision, or spinal screenings, or any physical examination or screening permitted or required under

state law. A parent may request to “Opt Out” of hearing, vision or spinal screenings only for religious reasons. Please

contact your campus school nurse for necessary forms. [See policies EF and FFAA.]...........................................................24

Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags...................................................................................................................25

Religious or Moral Beliefs......................................................................................................................................................25

Tutoring or Test Preparation..................................................................................................................................................25

Right of Access to Student Records, Curriculum Materials, and District...............................................................................26

Records/Policies Instructional Materials...............................................................................................................................26

Notices of Certain Student Misconduct to Noncustodial Parent...........................................................................................26

Participation in Federally Required, State-Mandated, and District Assessments................................................................. 26

Student Records Accessing Student Records........................................................................................................................ 26

Authorized Inspection and Use of Student Records..............................................................................................................27

FERPA also permits the disclosure of personally identifiable information without written consent:...................................28

The release of personally identifiable information to any other person or agency—such as a prospective employer or for a

scholarship application—will occur only with parental or student permission as appropriate............................................ 29

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Teacher and Staff Professional Qualifications....................................................................................................................... 30

Students with Exceptionalities or Special Circumstances Children of Military Families........................................................30

Parental Role in Certain Classroom and School Assignments Multiple Birth Siblings........................................................... 31

Safety Transfers/Assignments............................................................................................................................................... 31

Student Use of a Service/ Assistance Animal........................................................................................................................ 31

Students in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care)..................................................................................................32

Students Who Are Homeless.................................................................................................................................................32

Students Who Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need Special Education or Section 504 Services.................................... 33

Special Education Referrals................................................................................................................................................... 34

Contact Person for Special Education Referrals.....................................................................................................................34

Section 504 Referrals.............................................................................................................................................................35

Contact Person for Section 504 Referral............................................................................................................................... 35

[See also Students with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected under Section 504.]....................................... 35

Notification to Parent of Intervention Strategies for Learning Difficulties Provided to Student in General Education.........35

Students Who Receive Special Education Services with Other School-Aged Children in the Home.....................................35

Students Who Speak a Primary Language Other than English..............................................................................................36

Students with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected Under Section 504..................................................................... 36

Section II: Other Important Information for Students and Parents.......................................................................................36

Absences/Attendance........................................................................................................................................................... 37

Compulsory Attendance........................................................................................................................................................37

Prekindergarten and Kindergarten...........................................................................................................................37

Between Ages 6 and 18............................................................................................................................................................... 37

Age 19 and Older...................................................................................................................................................................37

Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance................................................................................................................................38

All Grade Levels........................................................................................................................................................38

Secondary Grade Levels........................................................................................................................................................ 38

[See Driver License Attendance Verification............................................................................................................ 38

Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance...................................................................................................................39

All Grade Levels........................................................................................................................................................39

Students with Disabilities......................................................................................................................................................39

Ages 6-18........................................................................................................................................................................ 39

NOTE:....................................................................................................................................................................... 40

Age 19 and Older...................................................................................................................................................................40

Attendance for Credit or Final Grade (Kindergarten– Grade 12 )..........................................................................................40

Official Attendance-Taking Time (All Grade Levels)...............................................................................................................41

Documentation after an Absence (All Grade Levels).............................................................................................................42

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Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness (All Grade Levels)............................................................................................... 42

Certification of Absence Due to Severe Illness or Treatment................................................................................................42

Driver License Attendance Verification (Secondary Grade Levels Only)............................................................................... 42

Accountability under State and Federal Law (All Grade Levels)............................................................................................ 43

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test.................................................................................................................43

Awards and Honors (All Grade Levels).................................................................................................................................. 43

Bullying (All Grade Levels).....................................................................................................................................................43

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs (Secondary Grade Levels Only)................................................................. 45

Celebrations (All Grade Levels)............................................................................................................................................. 46

Child Sexual Abuse and Other Maltreatment of Children (All Grade Levels)........................................................................ 46

Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse............................................................................................................................................. 46

Be aware that children and adolescents who have experienced dating violence may show similar physical,

behavioral, and emotional warning signs. [See Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (All

Grade Levels) .].........................................................................................................................................................47

Warning Signs of Trafficking.................................................................................................................................................. 48

Reporting and Responding to Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children.....................................49

Further Resources on Sexual Abuse, Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children....................................................... 49

Class Rank/Highest-Ranking Student (Secondary Grade Levels Only)...................................................................................50

Class Schedules (Secondary Grade Levels Only)....................................................................................................................51

College and University Admissions and Financial Aid (Secondary Grade Levels Only)..........................................................51

College Credit Courses (Secondary Grade Levels Only).........................................................................................................52

Communications—Automated (All Grade Levels).................................................................................................................52

Automated Emergency Communications.................................................................................................................52

Automated Non-Emergency Communications......................................................................................................................52

Complaints and Concerns (All Grade Levels).........................................................................................................................53

Conduct (All Grade Levels).................................................................................................................................................... 53

Applicability of School Rules.................................................................................................................................... 53

Campus Behavior Coordinator.............................................................................................................................................. 53

Disruptions of School Operations..........................................................................................................................................54

Social Events..........................................................................................................................................................................54

School Counseling................................................................................................................................................................. 55

Elementary and Middle/Junior High School Grade Levels.................................................................................................... 55

High School Grade Levels...................................................................................................................................................... 55

Course Credit (Secondary Grade Levels Only).......................................................................................................................56

Credit by Examination—If a Student Has Taken the Course/Subject (Grades 6-12)..............................................................56

Credit by Examination for Advancement/Acceleration—If a Student Has Not Taken the Course/Subject........................... 56