The Secretary amends our regulations implementing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which is section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act. These amendments are needed to implement a provision of the USA Patriot Act and the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, which added new exceptions permitting the disclosure of …

Administrators need to document all events connected with disciplinary action, including dates and descriptions of the incidents and of actions taken. These records, signed statements from witnesses and others involved, and references to applicable board policies or state statutes serve as crucial documentation in case of a formal court hearing.…

Summarizes the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, considers the questions most frequently asked about it, and cites several court decisions that have interpreted the amendment. (Author/WD)

Accused persons defending charges of sexual assault and related offenses sometimes seek to review confidential records, such as student records, pertaining to the complainant or witnesses. In 1997, the Canadian Parliament amended the criminal code to create a new procedure for such situations; its constitutionality was upheld in 1999. Details of…

An overview of court rulings and legislation defining student rights. (Editor/SJL)

Focuses on the last 15 years of privacy cases involving students. The cases examined cover the areas of searches, the family relationship, personal autonomy/appearance, and information privacy. (IRT)

Section 1415 of the Education of the Handicapped Act provides an array of procedural protections for handicapped students. This review and analysis of case law is intended to clarify the stay-put provision and to illustrate the various circumstances that bring that provision into effect. (MLF)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides students and parents access to their school records and requires that parents and adult students be informed of their rights under the act. FERPA also bars the release of records to third parties without written consent except to school district employees possessing legitimate…

Considers the First Amendment implication of broad-based requests for information from accrediting agencies by the federal government. Concludes that much information in such requests is sensitive and clearly deserves First Amendment protection for those students not themselves seeking any governmental assistance. (Author/IRT)

Court decisions generally establish the right of students and parents to have access to confidential pupil records. In general, common law gives persons with a "real interest" (such as parents) the right to inspect student records. This doctrine is supported by the ruling in Marmo v. New York City Board of Education that an individual charged with…

This handbook is intended to provide students and parents with a narrative summary of their rights and responsibilities in California public schools. Implications of laws and state regulations, as well as pertinent court decisions, are presented in such areas as student behavior (including discipline, corporal punishment, and dress codes),…

Students who have their National Direct Student Loans or Guaranteed Student Loans discharged under federal bankruptcy law may encounter difficulty obtaining college transcripts, and should be counseled on these problems. Available from University of Louisville, 2301 Third St., Louisville, KY 40208; $4.00. (MSE)

Summarizes the major constitutional rights of students which are supported by recent court cases in the areas of religion; freedom of speech, expression, and assembly; student government; academic penalties and grades; pregnant and married students; exclusion from extracurricular activities; punishment; police in the schools; student records; and…

Educational legislation (both state and federal) and court decisions relevant to student rights and responsibilities in Connecticut public schools are presented in this handbook. Chapters cover the right to suitable education free from discrimination; First Amendment constitutional rights of free speech, association, and religion; search and…

This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" discusses the implications of several court cases for legal issues affecting the role of the school business official. The issues addressed include civil rights, negligence, contracts, criminal liability, tuition and fees, and student records. The chapter opens with a brief overview of…