Designed for employees of elementary schools, this document answers questions concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The guide is written in question and answer form; questions are organized around related issues. Provisions not applicable to elementary schools have been omitted. "Purpose and Applicability"…

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act was passed in 1974 because some legislation was needed in order to discourage the abuse of individual rights due to the personal prejudices and/or disapproval of others. There are thousands of persons in American society who because of advanced educational training and a keen sense of perceptivity, can…

In this appeal from the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, Kathleen Sullivan is the appellant; Meade Independent School District, No. 101, school board members, and school administrators, the appellees. The single, young elementary school teacher was discharged at midterm by the small, rural community's school board as…

This paper discusses the issues involved in achieving a balance between a child's rights to protection and adequate care and a family's rights to privacy and autonomy. The paper advocates a shift from the current norm of privacy concerning parents' child rearing practices towards increased openness and freer community-family communication. In view…

The text of a joint resolution of Congress is provided in three sections. The first authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Library and Information Services by 1978 and includes specifications for: composition of the conference, the role of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science in planning and…

Three categories of issues relating to government policies and computerized data processing are examined. These relate to: 1) central government policies for data development; 2) parliamentary and public concern with the social consequences of computerized data processing; and 3) the international dimensions of developments in data processing.…

Examines developments in information technology that might endanger individual privacy and legislative responses to these threats by the English-speaking democracies, i.e., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Guidelines for the responsible use of information technologies are proposed. (CLB)

Two thousand secondary school counselors and principals were surveyed as to their school's practices regarding access to student records. While results indicate that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 has increased parent and student access to records, many schools are in violation of federal laws. (BS)

Newly hired teachers regularly have questions about whether their lifestyles and actions outside of school could have repercussions on their career. Because they are expected to be role models for their students and thus held to a higher level of discretion than the general citizenry, educators have had restrictions placed on their living…

This paper, taken directly from the Accreditation Standards for University and College Counseling Centers published in the "Journal of Counseling and Development" (1994), delineates the standards that providers of psychological services in California community colleges must adhere to. Five pertinent areas are discussed: (1) the…

This book is an examination of several critical issues and controversies concerning the potential of new information technology (IT) for education. In a series of interrelated essays, the book explores such issues as access, credibility, new approaches to reading and writing, the glut of information, privacy, censorship, commercialization, and…

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are the most pervasive, destructive, and costly communicable disease problems facing America's youth. The need for and appropriateness of school-based STD education, some elements of high-quality STD education, and strategies for dealing constructively with controversy are discussed. (JN)

Teacher-librarians can learn more about the effect of media and new technologies, and how to introduce these topics in the classroom. The Media Awareness Network World Wide Web site offers well-organized information and teaching units on privacy and other pertinent topics. Provides excerpts of online materials provided by the Media Awareness…

Suggests that it is necessary to protect the privacy of government procedures that could compromise security, yet there is also a need to revise and fine-tune legislation that expands government authority. Asserts that all major corrections in the delicate balance between public safety and civil rights typically require corrections themselves. (NB)

Discussion of creating World Wide Web pages for schools highlights content and subject matter; contributors; quality of content; technical and design standards; student and staff safeguards; copyright, ownership, and disclaimers; and server access. Pertinent Web site addresses are included. (LRW)