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Provincial legislation requires school boards to recognize students as adults when they reach the age of 18. As such, students who are 18 years of age or older are deemed responsible for their own education, attendance, and any matters related to discipline.
When students turn 18, information about their academic progress, attendance, and access to their records can no longer be provided to their parents/guardians without the student’s written permission. If adult students wish to authorize school staff to continue sharing their information with their parents/guardians, they have the option of completing the Consent for Information Sharing - Adult Student Form and returning it to the school office. Adult students also have the right to change these permissions/contacts at any time by submitting a new form with the amended information. The Consent for Information Sharing - Adult Student Form can be obtained from the student's DCDSB secondary school office.
We recommend that students discuss this matter with their parents, guardians or caregivers so they are fully apprised of this change in status.
Frequently Asked Questions
| How will this affect me as a parent, guardian or caregiver? |
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Once your child reaches the age of 18, they become their own signing authority, and we are legally required to remove you (the parent, guardian or caregiver) from our contact lists. For clarity purposes, students who are 18 years of age or older may sign their own field trip forms, report cards, etc., and may sign themselves out of school. Parents/guardians/caregivers will no longer receive information from the school or board related to their education, attendance, or any matters related to discipline. NOTE: Students may grant the school and board permission to share this information with their parents or guardians by completing the Consent for Information Sharing - Adult Student Form and returned to their school office. The form can be obtained from the student's DCDSB secondary school office. |
| Why am I being removed as my child's contact? |
| We are adhering to Government of Ontario legislation (Education Act, Age of Majority Act and Accountability Act, and Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). |
| What if my child wants me to receive information? |
| Students may grant the school and board permission to share this information with their parents or guardians by completing the Consent for Information Sharing - Adult Student Form and returned to their school office. The form can be obtained from the student's DCDSB secondary school office. |
| I am an adult student (18+) and consented to adding my parent/guardian/caregiver to receive information, and now wish to remove them. How do I do this? |
| As an adult student, you can include or remove parents/guardians/caregivers at any time. A new Consent for Information Sharing - Adult Student Form must be completed, signed and dated and submitted to the school office for any changes to apply. We recommend that adult students discuss the removal with the parents/guardians/caregivers so that they are fully apprised beforehand. |
| If my 18+ year old child misses an exam or assignment, may I speak to school staff on their behalf? |
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Unless the adult student has provided permission for their parents/guardians/caregivers to speak with the school, the school must discuss the items with the adult student. |
| What information may be disclosed in compassionate circumstances? |
| When there is a need to notify a close relative or spouse about a student who is injured, ill or deceased, school boards may disclose personal information without consent in order to facilitate or enable contact. |
Contact
For more information, please contact your home DCDSB secondary school.