THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA

Notice of Rights Under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g (FERPA) and 1002.22, Florida Statutes afford parents and students who have attained 18 years of (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education  records.  These rights are:

1. The right of privacy with respect to the student’s education records.  Personally identifiable records or reports of a student and any personal information contained in those reports, are confidential.  The School District of Martin County will not release the education records of a student without the written consent of the eligible student or the student’s parents or guardians, except to the extent FERPA and state law authorizes disclosure without consent.

2. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within thirty (30) days of the day the District receives a request for access.  Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect.  The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

3. The right to request amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading.  Parents or eligible students may ask the School District of Martin County to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading.  They should write the school principal, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the District decides not to amend the records as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

4. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA and state law authorize disclosure without consent.  One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

5. The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office

United States Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20202-4605