The Governing Board recognizes that responsibilities pertaining to marriage, pregnancy, or parenting, including related obligations, conditions, or recovery, may disrupt a student's education and increase the chance of a student dropping out of school. The Board desires to minimize interruption to such students' educational progress by supporting married, pregnant, and parenting students in their continued education, assisting them to attain strong academic and parenting skills, and promoting the healthy development of their child(ren).
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\nThe district shall not exclude or deny any student from any educational program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, solely on the basis of the student's actual or potential pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related conditions or recovery. In addition, the district shall not adopt any rule concerning a student's actual or potential parental, family, or marital status that treats a student differently on the basis of sex. (Education Code 221.51, 230; 5 CCR 4950; 34 CFR 106.40)
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\nIn accordance with Board Policy/Exhibit(1) 5145.6 - Parent/Guardian Notifications, the Superintendent or designee shall annually notify parents/guardians at the beginning of the school year of the rights and options available to pregnant and parenting students under the law. In addition, pregnant and parenting students shall be notified of the rights and options available under the law through annual school year welcome packets and through independent study packets. (Education Code 222.5, 48980)
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\nFor district-related purposes, a student under 18 years of age who enters into a valid marriage is an emancipated minor who shall have all the rights and privileges of students who are 18 years of age or older, even if the marriage has been dissolved. (Family Code 7002)
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\nSuch rights include, but are not limited to, those related to the verification of student absences as specified in Administrative Regulation 5113 - Absences and Excuses, application for a work permit as specified in Administrative Regulation 5113.2 - Work Permits, and access to student records as specified in Administrative Regulation 5125 - Student Records.
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\nEducation and Support Services for Pregnant and Parenting Students
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\nPregnant and parenting students shall retain the right to participate in the regular education program or an alternative education program. The classroom setting shall be the preferred instructional strategy unless an alternative is necessary to meet the needs of the student and/or the student's child.
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\nAny alternative education program, activity, or course that is offered separately to students who are pregnant or parenting, including any class or extracurricular activity, shall be equal to that offered to other district students. A student's participation in such programs shall be voluntary. (Education Code 221.51; 5 CCR 4950)
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\nIf required for students with any other temporary disabling condition, the Superintendent or designee may require a student, based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related conditions or recovery, to obtain certification from a physician or nurse practitioner indicating that the student is physically and emotionally able to continue participation in the education program or activity. (Education Code 221.51; 5 CCR 4950; 34 CFR 106.40)
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\nTo the extent feasible, the district shall provide educational and related support services, either directly or in collaboration with community agencies and organizations, to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting students and their children. Such services may include, but are not limited to:
Complaints
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\nAny complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of a student's actual or potential pregnancy, marital, or parental status; district noncompliance with the requirements of Education Code 46015; or district noncompliance with the requirement to provide reasonable accommodations for lactating students shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures.
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\nProgram Evaluation
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\nThe Superintendent or designee shall periodically report to the Board regarding the effectiveness of district strategies to support married, pregnant, and parenting students, which may include data on student participation in district programs and services, academic achievement, attendance, graduation rate, and/or student feedback on district programs and services.