The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records.

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access.
   • Parents or eligible students should submit to the School principal [or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
   • Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the School to amend a record should write the School principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to privacy of personally identifiable information in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
   • One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has outsources services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to perform (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another official in performing his or her tasks.

Directory Information

Under FERPA, Schools may disclose a student’s “directory information” which includes information generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

 The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Richland School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, Richland School District may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without consent, unless you have advised the District to the contrary in accordance with district procedures.

The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Richland School District to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain communication tools. Please be aware that although the District does not create a “student directory,” it is necessary for parents/guardians to advise the District if you do not wish to give consent for “directory information” items. 

“Directory information” may be used for but is not limited to the following items. Students opted-out of “directory information” would be excluded from appearing in: 

• District and school newsletters, newspapers, news releases to local and area media 
• District and school websites and official social media sites 
• General district marketing materials, publications and mailings 
• Yearbooks and graduation programs 
• Class, club and activity official group pictures
• A playbill or program showing your student’s participation 
• Sports activity programs, including pertinent information 
• Honor roll or other recognition list

According to federal guidelines, directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, may be disclosed without a parent's prior consent. Outside organizations requesting directory information include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.

In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEA’s) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories – names, address and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior consent. 

Richland School District has designated the following information as directory information: 

• Student Name 
• Address and Telephone number 
• Photographs, Video and Audio Recordings 
• Date and Place of Birth 
• Dates of Attendance 
• Grade level 
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports 
• Weight/height of members of athletic teams 
• Degrees, honors and awards received 
• The most recent education agency or institution attended 

Opting Out

If you do not want Richland School District to disclose directory information as outlined above, you must fill out a non-disclosure form. These forms are available at the front desk of your child's school. Non-disclosure forms must be filled out annually for each new school year.

Opting out of "director information" excludes your child's image and name from appearing in the following: 

• District and school newsletters, newspapers, news releases to local and area media 
• District and school websites and official social media sites 
• General district marketing materials, publications and mailings 
• Yearbooks and graduation programs 
• Class, club and activity official group pictures
• A playbill or program showing your student’s participation 
• Sports activity programs, including pertinent information 
• Honor roll or other recognition list

Filing a Complaint

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Student Directory Policy 3600

Student Directory Procedure 3600