A Reference Guide of the Bakersfield City School District

Rights and ResponsibilitiesSchool Lunch ProgramThe BCSD participates in the National School Lunch and National School Breakfast Programs. Applications to qualifyfor free or reduced meals are available at all school cafeterias and the Food Service Department at the EducationCenter, 1300 Baker Street. Applications are mailed to home address two weeks before school starts. You will beprovided with confirmation on your child’s eligibility for this program once an application has been processed.Education Codes 49510, 49520Breakfast — Elementary and Jr. High/Middle $0.55Lunch — Elementary $1.30 - Jr. High/Middle $1.35Curriculum MaterialsIn a reasonable timeframe, a parent or guardian has a right to inspect all curricular materials of the class(es) in whichtheir child is enrolled to include primary supplemental instructional materials and assessments, textbooks, teachersmanuals, films, tapes, and software. All recommended instructional materials will be made available for publicinspection at the district office.Education Code Section 49091.10Parent Right to Request Teacher/Paraprofessional Qualification InformationPresident George W. Bush signed into law the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001” (NCLB). This law supports theschool district’s efforts to provide our parents and children with the best education possible. The law does four things.First, it calls for greater accountability for student achievement results. Second, it mandates the use of instructionalmethods that result in increased achievement. Third, it allows the flexibility to use federal dollars where they areneeded the most. Finally, it provides parents a greater role in the education of their children.As part of our efforts to respond to the new No Child Left Behind Act, we want to inform you that parents may ask forthe following information about their child’s teacher.1. Whether your child’s teacher has met state qualification and licensing standards for the grade levels and subjectareas that they teach.2. Whether your child’s teacher serves under an emergency or other provisional authorization.3. The teacher’s college major; the types of college or graduate degree(s) they hold.4. Whether your child is provided services by a paraprofessional and, if so, that person’s qualifications.This information is available to parents by completing a request form in the school office. The school will forwardyour request to the Personnel Services Department, which will result in a prompt reply.Paraprofessional QualificationsParaprofessionals working in programs supported by Title I funds must have: Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education; OR Obtained an Associate’s (or higher) degree; OR Met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment,knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing and mathematics or reading readiness, writingreadiness and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.If you have questions regarding the qualifications of the paraprofessional serving your child, please see your schoolprincipal.42