Q: I am a teacher and parent informed me that a instructional assistant in classroom was talking so their child couldn't

A: In California, teachers are typically not required to reveal the identity of a parent who wishes to remain anonymous when reporting concerns about classroom dynamics to administration. Maintaining confidentiality is an important aspect of building trust between educators and parents, and it is generally respected in educational settings. However, if the situation requires further investigation or intervention from administration, the teacher may need to provide enough information about the concern to allow administrators to address it effectively, without necessarily disclosing the parent's identity.

A: Under California law, you, as a teacher, are not required to disclose the parent's name to the administration when raising concerns about an instructional assistant's behavior impacting a student's ability to focus. When bringing this issue to the attention of your school's administration, you can emphasize the importance of addressing the behavior while respecting the parent's request for anonymity.

It's essential to document the concern in a way that focuses on the behavior's impact on students' learning environment, rather than on the identity of the complainant. This approach aligns with best practices in creating a positive and responsive educational setting.

You may also suggest that the administration consider general feedback sessions or professional development opportunities for staff to address classroom management and effective support strategies, without singling out any individual or incident. This can help ensure a constructive and inclusive approach to improving the learning environment for all students.