{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-279.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-279.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-279.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-279.3.html"}],"law_id":54140,"edition_id":1,"section_id":54140,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.3","catch_line":"Parental responsibility and involvement requirements","history":"1995, c. 852; 1996, c. 771; 2000, c. 538; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2004, c. 573; 2023, c. 523.","full_text":"A\n\nEach parent of a student enrolled in a public school has a duty to assist the school in enforcing the standards of student conduct and compulsory school attendance in order that education may be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property, and supportive of individual rights.B\n\nA school board shall provide opportunities for parental and community involvement in every school in the school division.C\n\nWithin one calendar month of the opening of school, each school board shall, simultaneously with any other materials customarily distributed at that time, send to the parents of each enrolled student (i) a notice of the requirements of this section; (ii) a copy of the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct; and (iii) a copy of the compulsory school attendance law. These materials shall include a notice to the parents that by signing the statement of receipt, parents shall not be deemed to waive, but to expressly reserve, their rights protected by the constitutions or laws of the United States or the Commonwealth and that a parent shall have the right to express disagreement with a school&#8217;s or school division&#8217;s policies or decisions.\n\t\t\tEach parent of a student shall sign and return to the school in which the student is enrolled a statement acknowledging the receipt of the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct, the notice of the requirements of this section, and the compulsory school attendance law. Each school shall maintain records of such signed statements.D\n\nThe school principal may request the student&#8217;s parent or parents, if both parents have legal and physical custody of such student, to meet with the principal or his designee to review the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct and the parent&#8217;s or parents&#8217; responsibility to participate with the school in disciplining the student and maintaining order, to ensure the student&#8217;s compliance with compulsory school attendance law, and to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s behavior, school attendance, and educational progress.E\n\nIn accordance with the due process procedures set forth in this article and the guidelines required by &#xA7; 22.1-279.6, the school principal or his designee shall notify the parents of any student who violates a school board policy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when such violation is likely to result in the student&#8217;s suspension or the filing of a court petition, whether or not the school administration has imposed such disciplinary action or filed a petition. The notice shall state (i) the date and particulars of the violation; (ii) the obligation of the parent to take actions to assist the school in improving the student&#8217;s behavior and ensuring compulsory school attendance compliance; (iii) that, if the student is suspended, the parent may be required to accompany the student to meet with school officials; and (iv) that a petition with the juvenile and domestic relations district court may be filed under certain circumstances to declare the student a child in need of supervision.F\n\nNo suspended student shall be admitted to the regular school program until such student and his parent have met with school officials to discuss improvement of the student&#8217;s behavior, unless the school principal or his designee determines that readmission, without parent conference, is appropriate for the student.G\n\nUpon the failure of a parent to comply with the provisions of this section, the school board may, by petition to the juvenile and domestic relations district court, proceed against such parent for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate in efforts to improve the student&#8217;s behavior or school attendance, as follows:1\n\nIf the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D, to review the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct and the parent&#8217;s responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student and maintaining order, and to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s behavior and educational progress, it may order the parent to so meet; or2\n\nIf the court finds that a parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to subsection F, or upon the student&#8217;s receiving a second suspension or being expelled, it may order the student or his parent, or both, to participate in such programs or such treatment, including, but not limited to, extended day programs, summer school, other educational programs and counseling, as the court deems appropriate to improve the student&#8217;s behavior or school attendance. The order may also require participation in a parenting, counseling, or mentoring program, as appropriate, or that the student or his parent, or both, shall be subject to such conditions and limitations as the court deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and rehabilitation of the student or his parent. In addition, the court may order the parent to pay a civil penalty not to exceed $500.H\n\nThe civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations district court in which the student&#8217;s school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by the appropriate local governing body to support programs or treatments designed to improve the behavior of students as described in subdivision G 2. Upon the failure to pay the civil penalties imposed by this section, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil penalties.I\n\nAll references in this section to the juvenile and domestic relations district court shall be also deemed to mean any successor in interest of such court.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":198720,"text":"Each parent of a student enrolled in a public school has a duty to assist the school in enforcing the standards of student conduct and compulsory school attendance in order that education may be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property, and supportive of individual rights.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":198721,"text":"A school board shall provide opportunities for parental and community involvement in every school in the school division.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":198722,"text":"Within one calendar month of the opening of school, each school board shall, simultaneously with any other materials customarily distributed at that time, send to the parents of each enrolled student (i) a notice of the requirements of this section; (ii) a copy of the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct; and (iii) a copy of the compulsory school attendance law. These materials shall include a notice to the parents that by signing the statement of receipt, parents shall not be deemed to waive, but to expressly reserve, their rights protected by the constitutions or laws of the United States or the Commonwealth and that a parent shall have the right to express disagreement with a school&#8217;s or school division&#8217;s policies or decisions.\n\t\t\tEach parent of a student shall sign and return to the school in which the student is enrolled a statement acknowledging the receipt of the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct, the notice of the requirements of this section, and the compulsory school attendance law. Each school shall maintain records of such signed statements.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":198723,"text":"The school principal may request the student&#8217;s parent or parents, if both parents have legal and physical custody of such student, to meet with the principal or his designee to review the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct and the parent&#8217;s or parents&#8217; responsibility to participate with the school in disciplining the student and maintaining order, to ensure the student&#8217;s compliance with compulsory school attendance law, and to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s behavior, school attendance, and educational progress.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":198724,"text":"In accordance with the due process procedures set forth in this article and the guidelines required by &#xA7; 22.1-279.6, the school principal or his designee shall notify the parents of any student who violates a school board policy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when such violation is likely to result in the student&#8217;s suspension or the filing of a court petition, whether or not the school administration has imposed such disciplinary action or filed a petition. The notice shall state (i) the date and particulars of the violation; (ii) the obligation of the parent to take actions to assist the school in improving the student&#8217;s behavior and ensuring compulsory school attendance compliance; (iii) that, if the student is suspended, the parent may be required to accompany the student to meet with school officials; and (iv) that a petition with the juvenile and domestic relations district court may be filed under certain circumstances to declare the student a child in need of supervision.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":198725,"text":"No suspended student shall be admitted to the regular school program until such student and his parent have met with school officials to discuss improvement of the student&#8217;s behavior, unless the school principal or his designee determines that readmission, without parent conference, is appropriate for the student.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":198726,"text":"Upon the failure of a parent to comply with the provisions of this section, the school board may, by petition to the juvenile and domestic relations district court, proceed against such parent for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate in efforts to improve the student&#8217;s behavior or school attendance, as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"G1"},"7":{"id":198727,"text":"If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D, to review the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct and the parent&#8217;s responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student and maintaining order, and to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s behavior and educational progress, it may order the parent to so meet; or","type":"section","prefixes":["G","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"G1","prefix_anchor":"G1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"G2"},"8":{"id":198728,"text":"If the court finds that a parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to subsection F, or upon the student&#8217;s receiving a second suspension or being expelled, it may order the student or his parent, or both, to participate in such programs or such treatment, including, but not limited to, extended day programs, summer school, other educational programs and counseling, as the court deems appropriate to improve the student&#8217;s behavior or school attendance. The order may also require participation in a parenting, counseling, or mentoring program, as appropriate, or that the student or his parent, or both, shall be subject to such conditions and limitations as the court deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and rehabilitation of the student or his parent. In addition, the court may order the parent to pay a civil penalty not to exceed $500.","type":"section","prefixes":["G","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"G2","prefix_anchor":"G2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G1","next_prefix":"H"},"9":{"id":198729,"text":"The civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations district court in which the student&#8217;s school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by the appropriate local governing body to support programs or treatments designed to improve the behavior of students as described in subdivision G 2. Upon the failure to pay the civil penalties imposed by this section, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil penalties.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G2","next_prefix":"I"},"10":{"id":198730,"text":"All references in this section to the juvenile and domestic relations district court shall be also deemed to mean any successor in interest of such court.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13097,"edition_id":1,"name":"Discipline","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12850,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":182375,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13097,"identifier":"3","token":"22.1\/14\/3","url":"\/22.1\/14\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12850,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pupils","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":182133,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12850,"identifier":"14","token":"22.1\/14","url":"\/22.1\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12823,"edition_id":1,"name":"Education","identifier":"22.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":180949,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12823,"identifier":"22.1","token":"22.1","url":"\/22.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84373,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-276\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276","metadata":false},{"id":77797,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.01","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/22.1-276.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.01","metadata":false},{"id":59130,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/22.1-276.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.1","metadata":false},{"id":59973,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.2","catch_line":"Removal of students from classes","url":"\/22.1-276.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.2","metadata":false},{"id":67307,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-276.3","catch_line":"Ineligibility of students to compete in athletic competitions","url":"\/22.1-276.3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-276.3","metadata":false},{"id":87441,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277","catch_line":"Suspensions and expulsions of students generally","url":"\/22.1-277\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277","metadata":false},{"id":60099,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-277.01\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.01","metadata":false},{"id":56964,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.04","catch_line":"Short-term suspension; 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petition for readmission; alternative education program","url":"\/22.1-277.2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.2","metadata":false},{"id":68197,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.2:1","catch_line":"Disciplinary authority of school boards under certain circumstances; alternative education program","url":"\/22.1-277.2_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":83901,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-277.2:2","catch_line":"Alternative education program data","url":"\/22.1-277.2_2\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-277.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":59633,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-278","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-278\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-278","metadata":false},{"id":74737,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-279\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279","metadata":false},{"id":79182,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.1","catch_line":"Corporal punishment prohibited","url":"\/22.1-279.1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.1","metadata":false},{"id":75691,"structure_id":13097,"section_number":"22.1-279.10","catch_line":"School resource officers; 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reports of certain acts by school authorities to parents; reports of certain acts by school authorities to law enforcement","url":"\/22.1-279.3_1\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.3_1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-279.3\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?951+ful+CHAP0852\">852<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1996, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0771\">771<\/a>; in 2000, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0538\">538<\/a>; in 2001, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0688\">688<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0820\">820<\/a>; in 2004, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0573\">573<\/a>; in 2023, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0523\">523<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64854,"section_number":"16.1-241.2","catch_line":"Proceedings against certain parents","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-241.2\/"},{"id":83240,"section_number":"22.1-263","catch_line":"Violation constitutes misdemeanor","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-263\/"},{"id":69487,"section_number":"22.1-279.4","catch_line":"Information regarding prosecution for certain crimes","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.4\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":74451,"section_number":"22.1-279.6","catch_line":"Board of Education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct; school board regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.6\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182469,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54140,"identifier":"22.1-279.3","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.3","url":"\/22.1-279.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-279.3\/","token":"22.1\/14\/3\/22.1-279.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Parental responsibility and involvement requirements","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-279.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Each <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> of a student enrolled in a public school has a duty to assist the school in enforcing the standards of student conduct and compulsory school attendance in <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> that education may be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property, and supportive of individual rights. <a id=\"paragraph-198720\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> shall provide opportunities for parental and community involvement in every school in the school division. <a id=\"paragraph-198721\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Within one calendar month of the opening of school, each <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> shall, simultaneously with any other <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> customarily distributed at that time, send to the <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">parents<\/span><\/span> of each enrolled student (i) a notice of the requirements of this section; (ii) a copy of the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>&#8217;s standards of student conduct; and (iii) a copy of the compulsory school attendance <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>. These <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> shall include a notice to the <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">parents<\/span><\/span> that by signing the statement of receipt, <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">parents<\/span><\/span> shall not be deemed to <span class=\"dictionary\">waive<\/span>, but to expressly reserve, their rights protected by the constitutions or <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> of the United States or the Commonwealth and that a <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> shall have the right to express disagreement with a school&#8217;s or school division&#8217;s policies or decisions.\n\t\t\tEach <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> of a student shall sign and return to the school in which the student is enrolled a statement acknowledging the receipt of the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>&#8217;s standards of student conduct, the notice of the requirements of this section, and the compulsory school attendance <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>. Each school shall maintain records of such signed statements. <a id=\"paragraph-198722\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> The school principal may request the student&#8217;s <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">parents<\/span><\/span>, if both <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">parents<\/span><\/span> have legal and physical <span class=\"dictionary\">custody<\/span> of such student, to meet with the principal or his designee to review the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>&#8217;s standards of student conduct and the <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span>&#8217;s or <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">parents<\/span><\/span>&#8217; responsibility to participate with the school in disciplining the student and maintaining <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span>, to ensure the student&#8217;s compliance with compulsory school attendance <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>, and to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s behavior, school attendance, and educational progress. <a id=\"paragraph-198723\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> In accordance with the <span class=\"dictionary\">due process<\/span> procedures set forth in this article and the guidelines required by &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Board of Education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct; school board regulations\" href=\"\/22.1-279.6\/\">22.1-279.6<\/a>, the school principal or his designee shall notify the <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">parents<\/span><\/span> of any student who violates a <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> policy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when such violation is likely to result in the student&#8217;s suspension or the filing of a <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span>, whether or not the school administration has imposed such disciplinary action or filed a <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span>. The notice shall state (i) the date and particulars of the violation; (ii) the obligation of the <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> to take actions to assist the school in improving the student&#8217;s behavior and ensuring compulsory school attendance compliance; (iii) that, if the student is suspended, the <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> may be required to accompany the student to meet with school officials; and (iv) that a <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> with the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> may be filed under certain circumstances to declare the student a child in need of supervision. <a id=\"paragraph-198724\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> No suspended student shall be admitted to the regular school program until such student and his <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> have met with school officials to discuss improvement of the student&#8217;s behavior, unless the school principal or his designee determines that readmission, without <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> conference, is appropriate for the student. <a id=\"paragraph-198725\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"G\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">G.<\/span> Upon the failure of a <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> to comply with the provisions of this section, the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> may, by <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> to the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>, proceed against such <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> for willful and unreasonable refusal to participate in efforts to improve the student&#8217;s behavior or school attendance, as follows: <a id=\"paragraph-198726\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#G\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"G1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> If the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> finds that the <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> has willfully and unreasonably failed to meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D, to review the <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span>&#8217;s standards of student conduct and the <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span>&#8217;s responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student and maintaining <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span>, and to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s behavior and educational progress, it may <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> to so meet; or <a id=\"paragraph-198727\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#G1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"G2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> If the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> finds that a <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> has willfully and unreasonably failed to accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to subsection F, or upon the student&#8217;s receiving a second suspension or being expelled, it may <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> the student or his <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span>, or both, to participate in such programs or such treatment, including, but not limited to, extended day programs, summer school, other educational programs and counseling, as the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> deems appropriate to improve the student&#8217;s behavior or school attendance. The <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> may also require participation in a parenting, counseling, or mentoring program, as appropriate, or that the student or his <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span>, or both, shall be subject to such conditions and limitations as the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and rehabilitation of the student or his <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span>. In addition, the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> may <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">parent<\/span> to pay a civil <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> not to exceed $500. <a id=\"paragraph-198728\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#G2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"H\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">H.<\/span> The civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable in the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> in which the student&#8217;s school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by the appropriate <span class=\"dictionary\">local governing body<\/span> to support programs or treatments designed to improve the behavior of students as described in subdivision G 2. Upon the failure to pay the civil penalties imposed by this section, the attorney for the appropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil penalties. <a id=\"paragraph-198729\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#H\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"I\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">I.<\/span> All references in this section to the juvenile and domestic relations district <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall be also deemed to mean any successor in interest of such <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-198730\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-279.3\/#I\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INVOLVEMENT REQUIREMENTS (\u00a7 22.1-279.3)\n\nA. Each parent of a student enrolled in a public school has a duty to assist the\nschool in enforcing the standards of student conduct and compulsory school\nattendance in order that education may be conducted in an atmosphere free of\ndisruption and threat to persons or property, and supportive of individual\nrights.\n\nB. A school board shall provide opportunities for parental and community\ninvolvement in every school in the school division.\n\nC. Within one calendar month of the opening of school, each school board shall,\nsimultaneously with any other materials customarily distributed at that time,\nsend to the parents of each enrolled student (i) a notice of the requirements of\nthis section; (ii) a copy of the school board&#8217;s standards of student\nconduct; and (iii) a copy of the compulsory school attendance law. These\nmaterials shall include a notice to the parents that by signing the statement of\nreceipt, parents shall not be deemed to waive, but to expressly reserve, their\nrights protected by the constitutions or laws of the United States or the\nCommonwealth and that a parent shall have the right to express disagreement with\na school&#8217;s or school division&#8217;s policies or decisions.\n\t\t\tEach parent of a student shall sign and return to the school in which the\nstudent is enrolled a statement acknowledging the receipt of the school\nboard&#8217;s standards of student conduct, the notice of the requirements of\nthis section, and the compulsory school attendance law. Each school shall\nmaintain records of such signed statements.\n\nD. The school principal may request the student&#8217;s parent or parents, if\nboth parents have legal and physical custody of such student, to meet with the\nprincipal or his designee to review the school board&#8217;s standards of\nstudent conduct and the parent&#8217;s or parents&#8217; responsibility to\nparticipate with the school in disciplining the student and maintaining order,\nto ensure the student&#8217;s compliance with compulsory school attendance law,\nand to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s behavior, school attendance, and\neducational progress.\n\nE. In accordance with the due process procedures set forth in this article and\nthe guidelines required by &#xA7; 22.1-279.6, the school principal or his\ndesignee shall notify the parents of any student who violates a school board\npolicy or the compulsory school attendance requirements when such violation is\nlikely to result in the student&#8217;s suspension or the filing of a court\npetition, whether or not the school administration has imposed such disciplinary\naction or filed a petition. The notice shall state (i) the date and particulars\nof the violation; (ii) the obligation of the parent to take actions to assist\nthe school in improving the student&#8217;s behavior and ensuring compulsory\nschool attendance compliance; (iii) that, if the student is suspended, the\nparent may be required to accompany the student to meet with school officials;\nand (iv) that a petition with the juvenile and domestic relations district court\nmay be filed under certain circumstances to declare the student a child in need\nof supervision.\n\nF. No suspended student shall be admitted to the regular school program until\nsuch student and his parent have met with school officials to discuss\nimprovement of the student&#8217;s behavior, unless the school principal or his\ndesignee determines that readmission, without parent conference, is appropriate\nfor the student.\n\nG. Upon the failure of a parent to comply with the provisions of this section,\nthe school board may, by petition to the juvenile and domestic relations\ndistrict court, proceed against such parent for willful and unreasonable refusal\nto participate in efforts to improve the student&#8217;s behavior or school\nattendance, as follows:\n\n   1. If the court finds that the parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to\n   meet, pursuant to a request of the principal as set forth in subsection D, to\n   review the school board&#8217;s standards of student conduct and the\n   parent&#8217;s responsibility to assist the school in disciplining the student\n   and maintaining order, and to discuss improvement of the child&#8217;s\n   behavior and educational progress, it may order the parent to so meet; or\n\n   2. If the court finds that a parent has willfully and unreasonably failed to\n   accompany a suspended student to meet with school officials pursuant to\n   subsection F, or upon the student&#8217;s receiving a second suspension or\n   being expelled, it may order the student or his parent, or both, to\n   participate in such programs or such treatment, including, but not limited to,\n   extended day programs, summer school, other educational programs and\n   counseling, as the court deems appropriate to improve the student&#8217;s\n   behavior or school attendance. The order may also require participation in a\n   parenting, counseling, or mentoring program, as appropriate, or that the\n   student or his parent, or both, shall be subject to such conditions and\n   limitations as the court deems appropriate for the supervision, care, and\n   rehabilitation of the student or his parent. In addition, the court may order\n   the parent to pay a civil penalty not to exceed $500.\n\nH. The civil penalties established pursuant to this section shall be enforceable\nin the juvenile and domestic relations district court in which the\nstudent&#8217;s school is located and shall be paid into a fund maintained by\nthe appropriate local governing body to support programs or treatments designed\nto improve the behavior of students as described in subdivision G 2. Upon the\nfailure to pay the civil penalties imposed by this section, the attorney for the\nappropriate county, city, or town shall enforce the collection of such civil\npenalties.\n\nI. All references in this section to the juvenile and domestic relations\ndistrict court shall be also deemed to mean any successor in interest of such\ncourt.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, c. 852; 1996, c. 771; 2000, c. 538; 2001, cc. 688, 820; 2004, c.\n573; 2023, c. 523.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}