Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

All students are required to have this form on file in the office. Please review carefully and indicate your choice in each of the three areas. Thank you.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law which requires that school districts, with certain exceptions, obtain written consent from a student’s parents or guardians prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s educational records. However, the school district may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless a student’s parents or guardians have advised the district contrary in accordance with district procedures.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings, publish yearbooks, graduation vendors, post-secondary institutions and the military. The Howard School District has designated the following information as directory information:

· Student’s name and grade level.
· Participation in officially recognized activities or sports
· Weight, height, and grade level of participant
· Honors, awards and degrees
· Other similar information which denotes accomplishments and achievements
· Individual and group photographs
· Dates of attendance
· Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student

If a student’s parent or guardian does not want the school district to disclose directory information, the parent or guardian must notify the district in writing. Please complete your choices below.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) FORM