Right to Know Letters

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

Under the latest reauthorization of The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires that all schools receiving Title I funds must inform parents of their right to ask schools about the qualifications of their child’s teachers and qualifications of any paraprofessional serving their child.

Your child attends a school that receives Federal Title I funds. You have the right to request the following information, which will be provided to you in a timely manner, if you request it:

• Whether the teacher has met Maryland's qualification and licensing criteria for the grade level(s) and subject matter he or she teaches;
• Whether Maryland has decided that the teacher can teach in a classroom without being licensed or qualified under state regulations because of special circumstances;
• The teacher's college major; whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees;
• Whether any paraprofessional educators provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

If you would like to receive any of the above-mentioned information, please make the request in writing to your school’s principal.

Our teachers are committed to helping your child develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking he/she needs to succeed in school and beyond. I encourage you to support your child’s education and communicate with his or her teacher on a regular basis. By partnering, families and educators can provide your child with the best education possible.

Sincerely,

Shawn Joseph, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools

Right To Know  Letter (Spanish)

Right To Know Letter (French)