FERPA Information & Opt-out: DID YOU KNOW?!
(High School Students Only) Release of Directory Information to the ARMED FORCES:
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 both require high schools to provide military recruiters with access to directory-type information on secondary school students. Upon request, and after notifying parents, schools must release to military recruiters the name, address, and telephone numbers of high school juniors and seniors, unless the parent or eligible student has opted out of the release of this information to military recruiters.
Publishing of Pictures, Videos & Student Art/Work in Schools:
Sultan School District likes to celebrate the achievements of our students and staff. Throughout the year district staff may take photographs of students and school activities. These photographs may appear in various district materials, including the district’s website (www.su1tan.k12.wa.us), newsletters, yearbooks, brochures, district calendar, etc. We, at times, may also publicize student work.
How to Opt-Out:
If you wish to opt out of any or all of the above, you must complete an Opt-Out Form no later than September 30 or ten days following the student’s enrollment In the District, whichever is later. This election is good for the remainder of the current school year.
Click here to access the Opt-Out/FERPA Information Form.
FERPA Information:
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are ‘eligible students.’
Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
- School officials with legitimate educational interest
- Other schools to which a student is transferring
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes
- Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student
- Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school
- Accrediting organizations
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
- Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies
- State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law
Student Directory Information:
Public DisclosureofStudent Directory Information (For ALL Students Grades PreK-12)
In accordance with federal and state laws, the Sultan School District may release student directory information for various purposes. Student directory information is defined by the District’s Board of Directors, and may include:
- Student name, address, and telephone number
- 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
- Honors, awards & degrees received
- School & grade level
- Previous educational agencies or institutions attended by the student
- Photographs, videos and other similar information
Public disclosure of student directory information may occur in:
- School yearbooks (including photos)
- Team rosters and class lists
- Graduation, theater, athletic, and music programs
- Video performances, school activities, and athletic event
- Articles about school activities and athletic events
- School honor roll, scholarships and other awards
- Releases to media