Student education records and information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.
Parental Rights
- Inspection of Records
Parents have the right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the principal [or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
- Amendment of Records
Parents/eligible students have the right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights under FERPA. Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the school to amend a record should write the principal [or appropriate school official], clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school 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
- Disclosure of Records
Parents/eligible students have the right to privacy of personally identifiable information in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure 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 outsourced services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to perform (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer 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.
Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student's enrollment or transfer.
- Complaint
Parents/eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Officer
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-8520
Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) allows student information that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy to be disclosed. FERPA refers to this as “directory information.”
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In the administrative rule for Board Policy JRA Students Records, Richland Two defines directory information as a student’s: name, address, photographs including electronic images (as related to school or district-sponsored events, activities and special recognitions), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weights and heights of members of athletic teams, diploma or certificate and awards received, and other similar information.
The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Richland Two to include this type of information in certain school and district publications as a way to recognize students and promote their achievements. These publications include but are not limited to the annual yearbook, school/district newsletters, programs for school events, honor rolls or other recognition lists, school or district websites/social media, news releases/media coverage, etc. According to JRA-AR, the district will not release directory information to any person or agency for commercial use. - Military Recruiters
Federal laws require schools to provide military recruiters and/or institutions of higher education, upon request, with three directory information categories — names, addresses, and telephone listings—unless parents have advised the school that they do not want their student’s information disclosed.
Objection to Release of Directory Information
Parents objecting to the release of this information should may update their the district Chief Communication Officer in writing within 15 days of receiving notification to review the back to school handbook. Click here to see a sample notification letter. Parents can request a printed copy of the handbook from their child's school or by calling 803.738.3306.
If a written objection is not submitted to the Chief Communication Office, the district is free to release this information as is appropriate. The use of any information by Richland Two is for the promotion of our students’ and district’s welfare. Any questions concerning student records should be addressed to the counseling office of the individual school.