Confidentiality
& Privacy
CONFIDENTIALITY & PRIVACY
As a paraeducator, you will have access to confidential student information. This information will assist you in providing individualized support but it is of utmost importance that all GGUSD school employees respect the privacy of our students and their families. Under no circumstances may private or confidential information be shared or discussed without consent. This includes discussing student information with other staff who are not directly responsible for providing education or related services as well as family members who don't have educational rights.
This isn't just a recommendation. It's state and federal law. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of education records. FERPA applies to educational agencies such as public schools. The term “education records” is broadly defined under FERPA to mean those records that are directly related to a student and maintained by the school or district.
Student records and information that are to be kept confidential include:
health, immunization, and any records maintained by a school nurse
records that schools maintain on special education students, including IEP goals and objectives
records on services provided to students under the IDEA (speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.)
any test results or information regarding performance
social and behavioral information
any personal or financial information
Relationships with Parents
Garden Grove is a close knit community. Many teachers and staff members, including paraeducators, are members of the very community they serve. It is important for staff to maintain healthy and professional boundaries when it comes to relationships with parents and families. Even when not a member of the community, paraeducators often find themselves in contact with parents and families at pick up/drop off or other school events. Paraeducators should remember:
It is the paraeducator's role to provide information regarding a student's education only to the teacher. It is the role and responsibility of the teacher to communicate with the parents/families. The paraeducator should refrain from discussing anything within the context of the student's education with parents/families. If questioned or approached, the paraeducator should not offer any data, recommendations, or opinions but should instead refer them directly to the teacher or Administrator.
Contact with parents/families should be in the context of the student's education only. Connections on social media, babysitting services, or sharing personal life details would not be considered appropriate or professional.
Never assume someone doesn't know the student or their family.