Access to Education Records

Parents may request, at any time, an opportunity to inspect and review all education records that are collected, maintained, or used on their child. Requests may be oral or written and the district must respond within 45 days of receipt of a request.

The public education agency must respond to parental requests for explanations or interpretations of their child’s records.

Parents may select a representative to inspect and review their child’s records.

Copies of the records must be provided if the parent requests. No more than the actual costs of reproduction may be charged. If the cost prevents a parent from receiving the copy, records are provided at no cost.

Parents must be given, upon request, a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained, or used by the agency.

Public educational agencies may not disclose personally identifiable information contained in individuals’ records without parental consent, except:

• Directory information (e.g. name, address, telephone number, birthplace and date, major activity and sports participation, attendance dates, degrees and awards, schools most recently attended)

• To persons authorized as having legitimate educational interests (local school officials, state and federal agency personnel, etc.).

Parents who believe information contained in the records is inaccurate, misleading, or violates privacy rights of their child may request that the information be amended. If the public agency refuses to amend the record, the parent must be given the opportunity for a hearing to challenge the information. After the hearing, if the parent is still dissatisfied, the parent may place a written rationale in the child’s record explaining the objection to the information. This written explanation becomes part of the child’s record.

Public agencies must inform parents prior to the destruction of information contained in the child’s record.

Students are granted access, upon request, to their own records and receive all other rights of privacy afforded a parent after reaching 18 years of age or attending a school beyond the high school level.