FERPA - Protecting Student Privacy
The below information was collected from the OSPI website: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/data-reporting/protecting-student-privacy
Refer to our School Board Policy 3235P for more information.
You can download the PDF version of the FERPA Opt-Out Form. Return the form to the school office.
FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Policy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Policy Act (FERPA) is a federal law passed in 1974. Among other provisions, FERPA requires schools to get permission from a parent or eligible student (a student who is at least 18 years old or is enrolled in a college or university) before the school releases data that personally identifies that student. FERPA allows for the sharing of student information without permission in certain instances, such as when:
- School officials, including contractors, have a legitimate educational interest in the data.
- Determining financial aid.
- Developing, validating, or administering predictive tests.
- Administering student aid programs.
- Local, state, and certain federal representatives conduct an audit of or evaluate a school’s education program.
Under state law, records retained by state and local agencies are generally subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act. This requirement, however, doesn’t apply to personal information in any files maintained for students in public schools (RCW 42.56.230).
Permission to Withhold Student Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) mandates that the Mansfield School District, along with other educational agencies, protect the confidentiality of student education records. According to FERPA, our district must obtain consent from a student's parent or legal guardian (or the eligible student*) before disclosing education records.
However, it's important to note that FERPA includes an exception to the consent requirement. Data can be collected either because it was mandated by the state Legislature or it was approved by the OSPI's data governance workgroup, which includes employees from school districts and and statewide organizations, as well as researchers. For data collection to be approved, there must be a compelling reason to have it.
What student data does OSPI collect?
- Student demographics (name, date of birth, race/ ethnicity, gender, language spoken at home).
- Enrollment (school, district, grade level, entry date, exit date, and reason).
- Programs (special education, highly capable, free and reduced-price lunch, English language learner).
- Grade history (high school) and student schedule.
- Absences (full-day or half-day absence and date, excused or unexcused).
- Discipline (suspensions or expulsions, number of days, associated behavior type).
- Assessments (state test scores, Student Growth Percentiles (SGPs), alternative assessments).