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
education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds
under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives
parents certain rights with respect to their children's education
records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches
the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.
Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."
-
Parents or eligible students in the
Auburn School Department have the right to inspect and review the
student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not
required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great
distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review
the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
-
Parents or eligible students have the
right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be
inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the
record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal
hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend
the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a
statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the
contested information.
-
Our schools must have written
permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any
information from a student's education record. However, FERPA our
allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the
following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
- School officials with legitimate educational interest;
- Other schools to which a student is transferring;
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
- Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
- Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
- Accrediting organizations;
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
- Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
- State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
Schools may
disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's
name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and
awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents
and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and
eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the
school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must
notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under
FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a
PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the
discretion of each school.
For additional information, you may call the Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Michelle McClellan, at 207-784-6431, Ext 1202;
or 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call 1-800-437-0833.
Or you may contact the federal government at the following address:
Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202-8520 |