The protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. 1232h, applies to programs that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The law was amended under the "Goals 2000: Educate America Act" on March 31, 1994. The Department issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 28, 1995, to reflect changes in the law. Final regulations are expected in early 1997.

PPRA is intended to protect the rights of parents and students in two ways:

• It seeks to ensure that schools and contractors make instructional materials available for inspection by parents if those materials will be used in connection with a Department of Education-funded survey, analysis, or evaluation in which their children participate; and
• It seeks to ensure that schools and contractors obtain written parental consent before minor students are required to participate in any Department of Education-funded survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
1. Political affiliation;
2. Mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student and his/her family;
3. Sex behavior and attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers; or
7. Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).

For additional information or technical assistance, you may call (202) 260-3887 or TDD (202) 260-8956 or contact:

 
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