Question of the Month: How much access do board members have to student and employee records?
Access to student records
Court denies media’s request for deceased student’s education records
On Wednesday, an Ohio appellate court ruled that the media was not entitled to the education records of a deceased former student.
Mental health focus at March 1 Special Education Law Workshop and FERPA FAQs
In December, the Legal Ledger reported that the Federal Commission on School Safety, formed by President Trump after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, had released its report and recommendations.
FPCO releases FAQ on the treatment of videos and photos under FERPA
Yesterday, the federal Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO) released an FAQ about how photos and videos should be treated under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
PTAC releases guidance on sending PII via email
The U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has issued a guidance video concerning the use of email in schools and student data privacy. In the short video, the Department briefly explains the protections afforded student personally identifiable information (PII) by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and asks school employees to evaluate the risks associated with using email as a convenient means of transmitting such sensitive information.
Ohio Supreme Court rules in LAF case involving student records
On Thursday, the Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling in State ex rel. School Choice Ohio, Inc. v. Cincinnati Pub. School Dist. [Cincinnati Public School District was dismissed as a respondent in this case when it entered into a settlement agreement with SCO.]
In October 2013, School Choice Ohio (SCO) submitted a public records request to Springfield City School District, requesting:
Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments in LAF case
This morning, the Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments in School Choice Ohio Inc. v. Cincinnati Public School District and Springfield City School District. School Choice Ohio (SCO) filed the lawsuit after the Springfield City School District denied SCO’s request for student names and addresses.
Recent act creates FERPA exception for child welfare workers
On January 14, 2013, President Barack Obama signed the "Uninterrupted Scholars Act of 2013." The Act amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which generally prohibits the release of personally identifiable information from student education records without written consent from a parent or eligible student.