The California Department of Education on Jan. 20 issued a memo clarifying state law and rules regarding so-called parental service hours.
According to Chief Deputy Superintendent Richard Zeiger, a school district or school, including a charter school, shall not offer or remove
course credit or privileges related to educational activities based on whether or
not the school receives money or donations of goods or services from a pupil or
a pupil’s parents or guardians. EC Section 49011(b)(4).
This bars a school district or school from requiring “volunteer hours” or payment
of a fee in lieu of performing volunteer hours as a condition of admission,
enrollment, continued enrollment, sibling preference, attendance, participation in
educational activities or receipt of credit or privileges related to educational
activities.
A fee waiver policy shall not make a fee permissible. EC Section 49011(b)(2).
A school district or school, including a charter school, can solicit voluntary
donations of funds or property, and voluntary participation in fundraising
activities. EC Section 49011(c).
This permits a school district or school to request that parents volunteer a
specific number of hours per school year, and to identify the benefits to the school district or school as a result of these truly volunteer services.
