Parkland School

POLICY re: Parent Concerns
(Taken from Special Education Programming, Consultation, Planning and Problem Solving Policy - Feb/07)

Parent concerns will be dealt with in the following manner:
1. All concerns must be received in writing from the parent - any such concerns must be immediately brought to the attention of the Director.
2. A meetng will be arranged between the parent and teacher (Director will be present if required).
3. If resolution is not found, a meeting will be arranged between parent and Director.
4. If resolution is not achieved at school level, the Guardian Grievance and Appeal Process (Parkland Community Living and Supports Society Policy V:1:7 (seen below)) will be given to the parent. The process will allow the parent to grieve through the Divisional Director (Level 1) and the Executive Director (Level II).
5. If no resolution is found in Level II, the parent will be instructed to utilize Levell III of the Appeal process. Level III of this process is appeal to an alternative regional or government authority. This authority is the home school jurisdiction of the student. Their appeal procedure will then be utilized.
NOTE: Parents are advised that they may write to the Minister of Education following the district's board decision if they are not satisfied with the results. However, there is no guaranteed right to a review. The Minister has the authority to determine if the matter will be reviewed, and the manner in which the matter will be reviewed. Under the School Act of the Government of Alberta, the Minister may review a board decision on:
- placement in a special education program
- Francophone Charter 23 issues
- explusion decision
- home education matters
- the amount and payment of fees
- the accuracy or completeness of a student record

Individual/Guardian Grievance and Appeal Process (V:1:7)

PROCEDURES:

Level I - Coordinator, Program Manager or Divisional Director Responsible for the Residence or Program

The compainant, either an individual who receives services or their guardian, raises a concern relative to the individual's service, the treatment of the individual, or a decision made by an employee of the Agency.
1. When made aware of a problem, meet with the individual and/or guardian and attempt to resolve the problem.
2. For reference purposes, advise the affected individual that all concern(s) should be stated in writing.
3. Ensure the information presented is handled supportively in an effort to effectively resolve the issue.
4. Respond to the individual and or guardian in writing within fifteen (15) working days.
5. File the written individual/guardian grievance and response in the individual's master file, with a copy being provided to the Executive Director.
Level II - Executive Director

In the event that the complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome at Level I, a formal appeal can be made to the Executive Director within seven (7) working days of receiving the Level 1 response from the Coordinator, Program Manager or Divisional Director.
1. Ensure the information presented is handled supportively in an effort to effectively resolve the issue.
2. Ensure all decisions and responses to grievances or appeals are determined according to the Agency's philosophy, policies, procedures, systems and the individual's and/or guardian's needs and requests.
3. Receive the written grievance or concern within seven (7) working days after the Level I response, investigate and review all written concerns or grievances submitted as part of Level II.
4. Provide a written response to the individual and/or guardian within fifteen (15) working days.
5. Forward the written individual/guardian concern or grievance and the Executive Director's response to the appropriate Divisional Director, Program Manager or Coordinator to file on the individual's master file.
6. Provide the individual and/or guardian with a copy of the PDD, Community and Provincial Boards' Dispute Resolution Process, or the applicable dispute resolution process of other regional or government authorities.
Level III - External Review of Decisions

In the event the complainant is dissatisfied with the Executive Director's response at Level II, an appeal to this decision may be made to the Home School Board in accordance with their formal Dispute Resolution Process, or as an alternative to another regional or government authority pursuant to their established procedures and processes. The External Review board will submit their recommendations to the individual and/or guardian with a copy being forwarded to the Executive Director.
Level IV - Consideration of External Review Board Recommendations

The Executive Director will fully review all recommendations offered by an External Review Board and, if necessary, will discuss these recommendations with Parkland's Board of Directors prior to coming to a final decision in the matter being grieved or appealed.