FL-E - STUDENT RECORDS

Adopted: 5/28/03

Amended:

Reviewed:

NOTICE OF PARENT AND STUDENT RIGHTS

RELEASE OF STUDENT INFORMATION

Federal and state laws safeguard student records from unauthorized inspection or use and provide parents and "eligible" students certain rights:

What is an "eligible" student?

A student who is 18 or older OR who is attending an institution of postsecondary education.

What information will the School routinely release?

General information about students is considered "directory information" and will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it. That information includes:

• A student's name, address, telephone number, and date and place of birth.
• The student's photograph, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams.
• The student's dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status, honors and awards received in school, and most recent school attended previously.
• The student's e-mail address.

Can I restrict this information?

Yes. A parent or eligible student may prevent the release of any or all directory information regarding a student. This objection must be made in writing to the Director of School & Student Services within ten school days after you have been provided this notice.

What about information about grades, test results, disciplinary records, etc?

Virtually all information pertaining to student performance is considered a confidential educational record and may be released to:

• The parents-whether married, separated, or divorced-who will generally have access to the records. A parent whose rights have been legally terminated will be denied access to the records if the school is given a copy of the court order terminating these rights. Federal law requires that, as soon as the student becomes eligible, control of the records goes to the student. However, the parents may access the records if the student is a dependent for tax purposes.
• District staff members who have what federal law defines as a "legitimate educational interest" in a student's records. Such persons would include school officials (such as Board members, the Superintendent, principals), school staff members (such as teachers, counselors, diagnosticians), or an agent of the School (such as a medical consultant).
• Various governmental agencies or in response to a subpoena or court order.
• A school to which a student transfers or in which he or she subsequently enrolls.

Release to any other person or agency-such as a prospective employer or for a scholarship application-will occur only with parental or student permission as appropriate.

Where do I go to review the records?

The Director of School and Student Services is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at TSBVI. The Director of School and Services is the custodian of all records for students who have withdrawn or graduated.

Records may be reviewed during regular school hours. If circumstances effectively prevent a parent or eligible student from inspecting the records, TSBVI shall either provide a copy of the requested records, or make other arrangements for the parent or student to review the requested records. The Director of School and Student Services will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of the records. The address of all TSBVI administrative offices is :

1100 W 45^th Street
Austin, Texas 78756

The parent's or eligible student's right of access to, and copies of, student records does not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational records-such as teachers' personal notes on a student that are shared only with a substitute teacher and records on former students after they are no longer students at the School-do not have to be made available to the parents or students.

What can I do if I think a record is inaccurate?

A parent (or the student if he or she is 18 or older or is attending an institution of postsecondary education) may review and inspect the student's records and request a correction if the records are considered inaccurate or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights. If the School refuses the request to amend the records, the requestor has the right to request a hearing. If the records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the information in the student's record. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, contesting a student's grade in a course is handled through the general complaint process defined by policy FNG.

What is the cost of copying records?

A copy of a student records is available at no cost to a student or to the student's parent or guardian.

Please note:

Parents or eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe the School is not in compliance with the law regarding student records. The School's complete policy regarding student records is available from the principal's or Superintendent's office.

Note: The information in this notice should be translated for, or explained to,the parents of students whose primary or home language is not English.

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