Home > Governing Board > Policies and Regulations > Section J > JI

Governing Board Policies

Section J - Students

Policy Title: Rights and Responsibilities
Policy Code: JI
Lead Department: Academic Excellence

Print Version In MS Word | In Adobe PDF

Tucson Unified School District believes that educating a student is collaboration with the student, staff and parent. To support this collaboration we realize that each party has rights and responsibilities. The following identification of these rights and responsibilities is a general list to provide guidelines, with the intention of not being comprehensive or all-inclusive.

Students have a right to:

  • Learn in a safe, orderly and positive climate – one that is unbiased, nonjudgmental, and free from prejudice, discrimination, verbal or physical threats and abuse.
  • Privacy.
  • Due process of law.
  • Expect that school rules will be enforced in a consistent, fair and reasonable manner.
  • Be treated as a unique individual with differing needs, learning styles and abilities in a manner that encourages and enhances individual self-esteem.
  • Receive fair discipline without discrimination.
  • Participate in student activities.
  • Have access to their own formal student records.
  • Expect a learning environment that is safe and clean.
  • Be free from retaliation and fear of retaliation.
  • Receive a copy of the Rights and Responsibilities handbook.
  • Express their ideas, perspectives on issues and various topics.
  • Be treated with respect.

Students have a responsibility to:

  • Attend school daily according to school district adopted calendar, arrive on time, bring appropriate materials and be prepared to participate in class and complete assignments.
  • Strive for academic growth and to strive for their personal best.
  • Participate fully in the classroom, curriculum and learning process.
  • Allow fellow students to have an equal educational opportunity.
  • Allow fellow students to be free from discrimination and harassment.
  • Make-up work resulting from an excused absence or suspension.
  • Respect the rights, feelings, and property of fellow students, parents, school staff, visitors, guests, and school neighbors.
  • Conduct themselves properly on school grounds, school buses, at bus stops, at any school-related activity, and in the classroom, so as not to interfere with the rights of another student to learn.
  • Follow discipline guidelines adopted by the school and district.
  • Protect and take care of the school’s property.
  • Abide by the governing board policies and regulations.
  • Assist the school staff in running a safe school, and to help maintain the safety and cleanliness of the school environment.
  • Read and ask questions to understand the information in the Rights and Responsibilities handbook.

Parents and Guardians have a right to:

  • Receive official reports, (quarterly or more frequently) of the student’s academic progress, attendance and behavior.
  • Request and be granted conferences with teachers, counselors and/or the principal.
  • Receive explanations from teachers about the student’s grades and disciplinary procedures.
  • Read all school records pertaining to their student.
  • Receive a copy of the Rights and Responsibilities handbook.

Parents and Guardians have a responsibility to:

  • Be partners with school staff by sharing appropriate ideas for improving student learning and by helping to prevent and/or resolve student discipline problems.
  • Provide supervision of the student’s health, physical and emotional well being, and assume responsibility for the student’s timely regular attendance.
  • Promptly provide the school with explanations for student absences or tardiness.
  • Ensure student compliance with school and district policies and regulations.

School Personnel have a right to:

  • Work in a positive atmosphere for learning and teaching.
  • Request support when enforcing student discipline as outlined by School Board policies and agreements between the bargaining units and Tucson Unified School District.
  • Teach and work in an atmosphere free from verbal or physical threats, harassment and abuse.
  • Expect compliance with rules by staff and students.
  • Be present, when appropriate, at conferences and hearings concerning classroom and school disruption.
  • Receive additional rights as identified and described in the Tucson Unified School District Policies and Regulations.
  • Receive a copy of the Rights and Responsibilities handbook.
  • Supervision, evaluation and feedback regarding job performance.

School Personnel have a responsibility to:

  • Develop, communicate and implement written classroom expectations for students’ behavior and grades.
  • Provide students with specific curriculum objectives daily.
  • Work with parents to prevent discipline problems.
  • Inform parents/guardians of student progress, behavior and attendance.
  • Refer students to other staff or programs as appropriate.
  • Maintain accurate student records.
  • Supervise students in the school building and grounds and at all school activities in accordance with TUSD’s policies and regulations.
  • Protect and respect confidentiality of students, parents, and school staff.
  • Protect students’ health, safety, and welfare.
  • Record disciplinary actions in accordance with state laws.
  • Inform Principal of any concern regarding the health/physical, educational, social and emotional well-being of any child or other staff members.

Adopted: October 5, 2004

Legal Ref: A.R.S. 15-341
15-841
15-842
15-843
15-844

Future Cross Ref: GBE – Staff Rights and Responsibilities, JB – Equal Educational Opportunities; JIA – Student Due Process Rights; JIC – Student Conduct