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STUDENT  RECORDS

Required student records (regular and special education) will be prepared in a manner consistent with state and federal laws, the requirements of the Arizona Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR) and those of the Arizona Department of Libraries, Archives and Public Records.  Retention periods and disposition of records shall be as specified in the USFR, the Arizona Department of Library Archives and Public Records and relevant federal statutes and regulations.

The District will comply with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT ACT), and the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) in the establishment, maintenance, correction, and disposition of student records.

The Board directs the Superintendent to establish procedures for such compliance, including informing parents, students, and the public of the contents.  The Superintendent will implement procedures as required by law and will establish procedures for dealing with violations.

If a parent or eligible student believes that the District is violating the FERPA, that person has a right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.  The address is:

The Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Telephone number: (202) 260-3887

In adopting this policy it is the intent of the Board that the policy and related procedures be implemented immediately.  Copies of the policy and procedures will be available for parent and eligible student review in the District office.

Confidentiality

The right to inspect and review education records and the release of or access to such records, other information, or instructional materials will be consistent with federal law in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Title 20, United States Code, sections 1232g and 1232h, the USA PATRIOT ACT, ESSA and with federal regulations issued pursuant to such act.

Annual  Notification

Within the first three (3) weeks of each school year, the District will publish in a District communication a notice to parents and eligible students of their rights under the FERPA and this procedure.  This notice will also be provided to each parent of new students enrolling after school begins [34 C.F.R. 99.7].  The District will arrange to provide translation of the notice to non-English-speaking parents in their native language or mode of communication [34 C.F.R. 300.9].  The notice shall inform the parents of:

A.  The right of the parent or an eligible student to inspect and review the student's education records.

B.  The intent of the District to limit the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in a student's education records, including disciplinary records, except by the prior written consent of the parent or eligible student or under certain limited circumstances as permitted by the FERPA, the USA PATRIOT Act or the ESSA.

C.  The right of the parent or eligible student to seek to correct parts of the school education records that the student or the parent believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of student rights.  This right includes the right to a hearing to present evidence that the record should be changed if the District decides not to alter it according to the parent's or eligible student's request.

D.  The right of the parent or eligible student to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe the District has violated the FERPA.

Parents and eligible students have the following rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and this procedure [34 C.F.R. 99.7 and  300.613].  The notice shall also include:

A.  The procedure for exercising the right to inspect and review education records.

B.  The procedure for requesting amendments of education records that the parent or eligible student believe to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise a violation of the student's privacy rights.

C.  The conditions when prior consent is not required, the criteria for determining who constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest.

If the School District permits the release of directory information relating to pupils, the information shall be released on or before October 31 of each year.  The Superintendent shall develop procedures to communicate to students and their parents in a timely manner information relating to access to the Arizona Department of Education form which is designed to allow pupils to request that directory information not be released pursuant to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA).

Adopted:  June 27, 2017

LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-141
15-142
15-828
15-829
25-403.06
44-1373
10 U.S.C. 503
20 U.S.C. 1232
20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq., Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015
20 U.S.C. 7908
34 C.F.R. 300

CROSS REF.:
IHB - Special Instructional Programs
JF - Student Admissions
JFAB - Admission of Nonresident Students
JLH - Missing Students
JRCA - Request for Transfer of Records