FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)
GENERAL 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 certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.” • Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies. • Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information. • 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 (34 CFR § 99.31): 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; 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. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school. For additional information, you may call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call 1- 800-437-0833.
The school district will comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Legal Ref.: Statute 20 U.S.C., 1232 g., Regulations 34 CFR Part 99. Unless the parent or guardian notifies the Alcorn School District otherwise within five days after notification by receipt of the Student/Parent Handbook, consent is implied for the Alcorn School District to release directory information to others including military recruiters. The implied consent includes the release of student directory information, or for non-directory information such as student work, for use in the following ways: (1) On the Alcorn School District’s website. (2) The web site will use student’s first name and/or first name and last initial only. Personal information such as home address, phone number, or names of family members will not be used. Any information that indicates the physical location of a student at a given time other than attendance at a particular school or participation in school activities will not be used. (3) Schoolwork may include, but is not limited to, art, written papers, class projects, and computer projects, (4) Any material printed by the school or the Alcorn School District or printed by publishers outside the Alcorn School District. (5) Printed material may include a child’s full name. (6) Printed material may include, but is not limited to, school directories, yearbooks, programs, brochures, newspaper articles, and print advertisement. (7) In video produced and broadcast by the Alcorn School District or produced and broadcast by news organizations and others who receive approval from the Alcorn School District. Please check the appropriate box regarding this issue at the front of the handbook.
FERPA Informational Video and Information
TITLE I
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides financial assistance through state education agencies (SEAs) to local education agencies (LEAs) and public schools with the highest percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.Public schools with poverty rates of at least 40 percent may use Title I funds, along with other federal, state, and local funds, to operate a schoolwide program to upgrade the entire educational program. The school designs, in consultation with parents, staff, and district staff, an instructional program to meet the needs of students. The programs must be based on effective means of improving student achievement and include strategies to support parent and family engagement.
The Alcorn School District serves Alcorn Central Elementary, Biggersville Elementary, Biggersville High, and Kossuth Elementary in a School-wide Program.This means that Title I funds may be utilized to affect all students and faculty members.These funds are utilized primarily to provide salaries and benefits for pre-kindergarten, instructional paraprofessionals, and interventionists.Instructional supplies are also provided for classrooms.
Alcorn School District Parent and Family Engagement Plan
TITLE II
The purpose of Title II, Part A is to increase student academic achievement consistent with the challenging state academic standards; improve the quality and effectiveness of teacher, principals, and other school leaders; increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders. These funds are utilized to provide professional development for teachers, principals and other school leaders.
TITLE IV
The Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program is used to improve student academic achievement by increasing the capacity of States, local educational agencies, schools, and local communities to: 1) provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; 2) improve school conditions for student learning; and 3) improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. These funds are used at all three schools to purchase instructional supplies and or equipment that meet the allowable purchases guidelines.