Embedded Files
Southern Tioga School District and its employees are required by Federal Law and State and Federal Rules and Regulations to protect the rights of students. The foundation of these rights comes from Federal Legislation entitled Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as the Buckley Amendments). There are State Rules and Regulations dealing with regular and special education students’ rights and privacy. All students are covered by the State Regulations contained in Chapter 12 known as Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.
The basic premise of the above mentioned laws, rules, and regulations is that information about students cannot be disclosed without written parental consent. There are different categories of information: education records, personally identifiable information, and directory information. Education records consist of information directly related to a student which is maintained by an educational agency. Personally identifiable information includes the student’s name, the name of the parent or other family members, a personal identifier or a list of personal characteristics that would make the student’s identity easily traceable.
Education records and personally identifiable information cannot be disclosed or released without written parent consent or if a student is over eighteen, without student consent. The only exception is when a student enrolls or seeks enrollment in another school district in Pennsylvania; education and personally identifiable information may be released to expedite an appropriate educational placement.
There is certain information that can be released without consent which is called directory information. Directory information means information contained in an education record of a student which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The School District designates what information is labeled as Directory Information. It shall include the following: the student’s name, address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.
Disclosure of information means to permit access to or the release, transfer, or other communication of education records, or the personally identifiable information contained in these records, to any party, by any means, including oral, written, or electronic means. This means that information about a student cannot even be shared in conversations without permission. This also applies to other Southern Tioga School District personnel who do not have an educationally relevant reason to possess knowledge of a student.
Written parental consent is necessary for disclosure of personally identifiable information and education records. The consent must (1) specify the records that may be disclosed; (2) state the purpose of the disclosure; (3) identify the parties or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made. Furthermore, the Southern Tioga School District must maintain a written record of disclosure for the parents to inspect in case information has been released.
Chapter 15/Other Protected Handicapped Students
Chapter 15/Other Protected Handicapped Students
A protected handicapped student is a student who is school age with a physical or mental disability which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to any aspect of the school program.
In compliance with State and Federal Law, the Southern Tioga School District will provide to each protected handicapped student, without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extra-curricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled or seeking enrollment in special education programs.
For further information on the evaluation procedures and provision of services to protected students with disabilities, contact the Southern Tioga School District supervisor of special education at 570-638-2183.
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