Teen Parent? Protect Your Future! Stay in School!

Here Are Some Of Your Rights

♦ You can stay in your current school or programs.

♦ You cannot be excluded from any school program you qualify for, including honors or special education because of pregnancy or parenthood.

♦ If you are a teenage parent without child care, you may be able to get a referral to a community agency that can help you arrange for off-campus free / low cost child care.

♦ You can attend one of the alternative programs that can help you stay in school (if available in your area).

IF YOU HAVE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL OR FEAR YOU MAY HAVE TO DROP OUT:

You can get help to find a program that will make it easier to return and graduate or one that will help you prepare to take the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) test to get an Equivalency Certificate. It can be slow going, but DON’T give up! Get the help you need to continue your education and to look forward to a better future for yourself, your child and your family.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT BY EVERYONE AT SCHOOL.

No one can treat you differently from other students because you are pregnant or because you are a teen parent. School staff cannot treat you differently whether or not you are married. You deserve to be treated with respect whether you have had an abortion, miscarriage, or need to take time off from school for the birth of your baby. School staff may not allowother students to treat you with disrespect.

AS A PREGNANT STUDENT OR TEEN PARENT, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO TAKE PART IN ALL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

You can participate in any classes or school-related activities, including physical education (PE), unless your doctor says you need to limit your physical activity. You can be in honors or awards ceremonies, run for student offices, take part in school clubs and after-school activities, attend field trips, and join in all graduation activities.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT AS WELL AS A DUTY TO MAKE UP SCHOOL WORK YOU MISS WHEN YOU HAVE EXCUSED ABSENCES. YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE A NOTE OR APPOINTMENT CARD TO EXCUSE YOUR ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL IF:

• You are absent due to an illness or condition related to your pregnancy and have a note from your doctor or health care provider.

• You or your child has a medical appointment that can only be made during school hours.

• You are absent for the birth of your child or recovery from childbirth.

• You are absent to care for your sick child.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING UP WORK YOU MISS AND YOU MUST BE ALLOWED OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT.

When possible, it is better to plan in advance to make up work that you will miss. In any case, making up missed work is a right of any student who is absent from school due to health-related conditions.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO GET THE HELP, SUPPORT AND INFORMATION YOU NEED TO CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION.

This includes the right to be informed about optional alternatives educational programs that may meet your special needs or let you fill in school credits you are lacking. Your school counselor, teacher or principal can help you make progress toward your goal of graduation or earning your GED.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR PRIVACY RESPECTED!

• Your health and personal information should be kept confidential (private) just as any other student’s information is kept private.

•That means any information about your pregnancy, whether you have children, and if you are married or not is private.

• School staff should not discuss your health or other private information with anyone else without your permission. Staff also cannot use this information against you when you ask for letters of recommendation or when you are being considered for educational or job opportunities or scholarships.

• One exception to this rule of privacy is when there is a concern that you or any other student may have been abused or you are a danger to yourself or others. In this situation, school staff will need to make a report to a child protective service agency to get help.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT YOUR SCHOOL TO MAKE REASONABLE CHANGES OR ADJUSTMENTS TO SUPPORT YOUR SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL PARTICIPATION.

Changes to help a pregnant student remain in school might include: a hall pass to use the restroom as needed, being released early from class at lunch or recess to avoid lines and crowds, or being assigned, when possible, to classes that meet on a lower floor or are closer together – especially during later months of pregnancy. Often schools make similar adjustments for students with other medical conditions or physical challenges. You deserve the same support whenever such changes are possible.