In the Lexington Public Schools, we care deeply about safeguarding the privacy of student, staff, and family information. We work closely with our vendors and research partners to ensure that their confidentiality and security practices meet or exceed industry standards and adhere to the expectations contained in the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).

What are FERPA, COPPA, and PPRA? 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents the right to have access to their children’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records.  When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a post-secondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student. The Lexington Public Schools is required to provide notice to all parents and students regarding their rights under FERPA.  More information can be found here.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) is a federal law that specifically requires parental consent for student surveys that ask about particular and sensitive topics or behaviors, including political affiliations, illegal behavior, sex attitudes, or income. Further information can be found here.

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a federal law that protects the online privacy of children under the age of 13. COPPA imposes requirements on operators of websites or online services regarding the collection and use of personal information about children. Further information can be found here.

Annual FERPA Notice

The Annual FERPA Notice is available here. 

Directory Information 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows the Lexington Public Schools (“District”) to release certain information about students without parental consent, provided that annual notification has been given and provided the District does not have written denial to release this directory information on file. Directory information is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released.

The District has identified the following information as directory information:

• • • • • Student’s name

        • Degrees, honors, and awards received

        • Participation in recognized LPS activities and sports

        • Dates of attendance/enrollment

        • Grade level and year of graduation

        • Homeroom and/or middle school Team

        • Most recent school attended

        • Post-high school plans, including major field of study

        • Parent/guardian name(s), primary email address and telephone number

The school/district may include this information in certain school publications, such as a yearbook, newsletter, playbill, or honor roll, as appropriate. Occasionally, family contact information may be provided to outside agencies and community groups, such as the PTO/PTA or the Lexington Education Fund (LEF), at their request. This information is generally used to create family directories for outreach.  Additionally, the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act requires the District to provide all branches of the military with names, addresses, and telephone listings for students unless parents/guardians have advised that they do not want this information disclosed for this purpose. The district reserves the right to withhold any information if the district believes it is in the best interest of our students. However, the district will disclose information as required by law.

If you do not want the Lexington Public Schools to disclose directory information without your prior written consent or you would like to change your media permissions, you must notify the District.  You can do this through the Consents & Permissions  work flow through the Aspen Family Portal.  

• Here’s how to view your current preferences. 

• Here’s how to change your preferences.  

These changes can be made at any time. At the beginning of each school year, principals also remind families that they have the option to adjust these permissions.   Any questions about this procedure can be directed to: Familyportal@lexingtonma.org.  

Media Permissions

Throughout the school year, students may be highlighted to celebrate or promote school related activities and achievements, included in staff training materials and/or featured in publications to increase public awareness of our schools through various media outlets including newspapers, radio, television, district or school website, displays, or brochures. Students can be highlighted by name and/or photo/video/recording. Families have the ability to indicate their preferences under two media categories: LPS/Internal media and Non-LPS/external media.

Examples of LPS Media:

• • • • • School and district websites & newsletters

        • In school displays

        • LPS social media accounts

        • Playbill

        • Athletic rosters

        • Graduation programs

        • Staff training materials

Examples of External Media:

• • • • • Newspaper

        • Television

        • Radio/online recording

        • Non-LPS social media accounts

If you want  to adjust your student’s media permissions, you can do this through the Consents & Permissions  work flow through the Aspen Family Portal. 

• • • • • Here’s how to view your current preferences. 

        • Here’s how to change your preferences.  

These changes can be made at any time. At the beginning of each school year, principals also remind families that they have the option to adjust these permissions.   Any questions about this procedure can be directed to: Familyportal@lexingtonma.org.