The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

What is it and what does it have to do with your child’s school record?

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student’s educational records.

The law applies to all schools receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA assures parents:

the right to inspect and review the educational records of their child

the right to seek to amend the educational record

the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from education records.

How does FERPA define “parent”?

A natural parent

A legal guardian

Or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or guardian

HOWEVER...the rights transfer to the student when he orshe turns 18 or attends a postsecondary

institution at any age (referred to by FERPA as “Eligible Students”)

What is meant by the following:

“…Theright to have SOME control over the disclosure of information….”?

Information in your child’s record is viewed as:

Personal Identifiable Information or Directory Information

This pertains to Personal Characteristic.
It includes information that would make a student easily traceable.
Parent consent is required before this information can be shared except in some circumstances outlined in
“The Parent Handbook of Annual Notices and Rights:” Revised May 2006.
As well as online at

/ New HanoverCounty policy defines directory information as:
- Students name
- Address
- Telephone listing
- Electronic mail address
- Date and place of birth
- School enrollment
The federal government gives permissionfor this information to be shared.
Parents Can Opt –Out!!
If you opt-out, directory information cannot be shared without your consent!
However, administrators can seek your consent
for specific listings if you have opted-out, such as for awards, scholarships, listings of participation in sports, year books, to name a few.
OR the administrator may choose not toand your child will be excluded if you have opted out.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

OPT-OUT FORM

K- 8th Grade

YOU MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM IF YOU WISH TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE RELEASE OF DIRECTORY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO YOUR CHILD.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Directory information in the New Hanover County Schools Policy #8700 is restricted to:

  • Student’s name
  • Address
  • Telephone Listing
  • Electronic mail address
  • Date and place of birth
  • School enrollment

This information may be disclosed to a third party without parental consent. If you wish to prevent the disclosure of “directory information” of your child as defined above, you must inform the school principal in writing within ten days of receipt of this Opt-Out notice.

In so doing, your permission will have to be obtained prior to the release of Directory Information to any third party to include but not limited to:

  • School Yearbooks
  • Class Lists for PTA
  • Student Directories
  • Local Newspapers
  • All Publications
  • Organizations/Individuals seeking Membership

Today’s date is ______.

This form must be returned to the school no later than______.

------

I wish to exercise my right to prevent the release of directory information pertaining to my child. In so doing I understand that directory information cannot be released without my consent.

Student’s Name (Print):

Parent/Guardian’s Signature: Date:______

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