Protecting the
Privacy of Student Records, Section 5 summary
Section 5:
Providing Parents Access
to Their Child's Record
Section Summary:
A. Notifying Parents of
Their Rights
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Parents should be informed of their rights
under FERPA, although the actual means of notification is the decision
of the agency or school.
B. Providing Access to Individual
Records
-
It is important for an agency or school to
prepare written procedures for handling record requests.
C. Handling a Parent's Request
-
The agency of school should verify the authenticity
of requests and comply within forty-five days.
D. Managing the Review
-
A designated official should manage the review
process. This official can verify the identification of the parents, explain
the laws, help parents understand the record, and refer parents to appropriate
resources.
E. Providing Copies or Charging
a Fee
-
Agencies or schools may, but are not required
to, provide copies of the records.
-
If it is not feasible for the parents to review
the records because of distance, you should provide a copy of the record.
-
While agencies or schools are not allowed
to charge for the search and retrieval of records, they may charge for
copying time and postage.
F. Handling Challenges to
Record Contents
-
Written procedures can guide parents through
the process of challenging their child's record. The school or district
may provide a form to streamline the process.
G. Managing the Hearing Procedures
-
Parents should be notified as soon as a hearing
is scheduled. The hearing may be presided over by an agency or school official,
if this person is considered a third party.
-
Evidence presented should be documented. The
decision should be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing.
-
It is important to follow through on the decision
of the hearing.
[Section 5 full text]
For questions about the content of this product, please contact
Lee
M. Hoffman.
