Student Privacy Rights and Release of Records
September 2006
Federal law, state law, and school district policy protect student privacy through the following rights afforded to the parents or guardians of minors, and students over age 18.
Student directory information
Federal law allows Highline Public Schools to disclose some personally identifiable information about students (“student directory information”), without written consent. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the school district to include this information in certain school publications, including:
- The annual yearbook
- Honor roll or other recognition lists
- Printed programs for graduation, sports competitions, or school plays
Highline Public Schools defines “student directory information” as:
- Name, address, email address, and phone number
- Date and place of birth
- Dates of enrollment and enrollment status
- Diplomas and awards
- Participation in activities and sports
- Height and weight (for athletes)
- Grade level and most recent school or program attended
- Photograph or video image
If you do not want the school district to disclose directory information for your student without prior written consent, you must notify the district in writing by September 30.
Student directory information requests by outside organizations
If you ask the school district not to release student directory information, you will not receive some mailings that are routinely sent to students and their families from outside organizations, including notifications from government agencies and information about school pictures and yearbooks (which may prevent your child from being included in the yearbook.)
Federal law requires the school district to provide military recruiters with students’ name, address, and phone number unless parents have informed the district not to do so.
If you do not want the school district to disclose directory information, or if you want your child’s contact information withheld specifically from military recruiters you must inform the district in writing by September 30. Mail or deliver your letter to:
Student Placement Office
Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW
Burien, WA 98166
The law permits the school district to disclose personally identifiable information from education records without parental consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the School 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 School 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 a 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.
Student records
Under federal law and Highline School Board Policy #3250, Highline Public Schools is prohibited from releasing student records (except student directory information) without your permission. Student records include, but are not limited to:
- grades
- achievement test scores
- attendance records
- disciplinary records
You should know the following regarding student records:
- You have the right to review your child’s student records in the presence of school personnel.
- You may ask the School to amend a record you believe is inaccurate. To do so, clearly identify in writing the change requested, and specify why it is inaccurate.
- The school district may not disclose personally identifiable information without your consent except to officials who have legitimate educational interests in the information and others as provided by law.
If you have questions or concerns about the student records policy or wish to review or amend student records, contact your building principal.
If you believe the school district has failed to protect your student’s privacy rights, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. Contact:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
School Employee Records
Under state law, you have the right to request public records on school employee discipline. If you wish to request information on a particular employee, please send a written request to:
Office of Communication and Community Engagement
Highline Public School
15675 Ambaum Blvd SW
Burien, WA 98166
If you wish, you may email your request to: Communication@hsd401.org.
Student surveys
Under federal law, you have the right to:
- Inspect instructional materials used in conjunction with a survey, analysis, or evaluation funded by the US Department of Education (ED).
- Provide written consent before your child participates in ED-funded surveys, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
3. Sex behavior or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or
ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
If any of these activities are scheduled, the district will provide notice to parents at that time, as well as an opportunity to review the materials.
