Student Privacy Policy (FERPA)
Rights of Parents and Students Under The Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
The FERPA regulations, including recent amendments, require a school district to include specific information in its annual notice. This information includes the rights of parents or eligible students:
- to inspect and review the student’s education records;
- to seek amendment of the student’s education records which they believe to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights;
- to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records (except to the extent that the law authorizes disclosure without consent)
- to file complaints concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the FERPA requirements.
Directory Information - The district may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the district to the contrary in accordance with district opt-out procedures. Directory information is information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the district to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications such as a playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production; annual yearbook; graduation programs; and sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.
The District designates the following personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education record as “directory information” and shall release the information without prior written consent, unless it is for commercial purposes:
- Student's name
- Address and telephone listing
- Date of birth
- Major field of study and grade level
- Participation in sports and activities
- Weight and height (for members of athletic teams)
- Dates of attendance
- Honors, degrees and awards
- Photograph
- Name of educational institution previously attended
Opt-Out - If you do not want the District to disclose the above directory information from your child’s educational records without your prior written consent, including to institutions of higher education, and potential employers, you must notify the District in writing by November 15 for the current school year. This notice must be sent to the building principal of your child’s school on a yearly basis. Parents, and students over the age of eighteen, have a right to refuse in writing the release of student directory information by November 15 of each school year. After November 15, the District may release such information to any outside group without individual consent. As required by Federal law, student directory information for Grade 11 and 12 students shall be made available upon request to persons or groups which make students aware of occupational and educational options.
Please note – A student photograph, video, or recording is not designated as “directory information.” However, these may be used without prior written consent in District programs or to provide information or publicity for a school activity, the student, school or District. If you refuse to permit use of your student’s photograph, video or recording for these District purposes, you must opt out in PowerSchool or notify the building principal in writing by September 30 for the current school year and expires on June 30 of that school year.
Disclosure to Military - In addition, two federal laws require the district to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the district that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.