According to the US Department of Education, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents/families certain rights with respect to their student's education records. These rights transfer to the student when they reach the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."
Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions:
- School officials with legitimate educational interest;
- Other schools to which a student is transferring;
- Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
- Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
- Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
- Accrediting organizations;
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
- Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies;
- Military recruiters; and
- State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. If you would like to opt your student's information out you will need to:
1. Submit a written letter to the District Office at the time of enrollment. Your written letter must include:
- Full name of Student
- Grade level for the current school year
- Specific item(s) listed below that you do not want to be shared
- Student's name
- Parent's/Guardian's name
- Address
- Telephone listing
- Email address
- Video recordings (for the purposes of social media)
- Photos (for the purposes of social media)
- Audio recordings
- Date and place of birth
- Dates of attendance
- Grade level
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height (if member of athletic teams)
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Their most recent educational agency or institution attended
- If applicable a specific request for non-disclosure of information to military recruiters
- Parent's/Guardian's name
- Parent's/Guardian's signature
2. Mail or deliver this letter to:
Eudora Schools USD 491
Attn: Communication and Engagement Specialist
1310 Winchester Rd., P.O. Box 500
Eudora, KS 66025