Privacy Rights

Parents and guardians of students under the legal age of 18, and students 18 years or older, have specific rights to privacy regarding student records. School personnel cannot release any information outside the school district unless they have received a release signed by the parent or guardian or student 18 years or older. The Michigan School Code provides a penalty of up to $200 in fines and/or 90 days in jail for any school official who provides students record information without proper authorization.

Schools Will:

  • Handle routine school-to-school requests for student records. Requests for records by outside educational facilities require parental approval.
  • Provide legal protection for students. A principal will be present when police or court representatives question any student on school grounds to ensure that the student has been informed of his her right to refuse to answer questions.
  • Follow due process at all times.

Parents Can:

  • Review records related to the results of standardized tests administered by the district.
  • Inspect and review any and all materials in the student's cumulative record folder.
  • Have an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the contents of the student's records.
  • Have identifiable records of a student's personal information kept confidential.
  • Expect that identifiable information contained in personal school records will not be furnished to anyone other than school district officials without a written release from the parent or in compliance with a judicial order or lawful subpoena.
  • Collection of information for Title 1 (Federal Law) shall not include a social security number or any personal identification of students or their parents.

Complete details of the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) are on file at each school.

Process for Parent Concerns

Throughout any school year, parents may have concerns that may involve issues regarding school policies, student grades or school personnel. Below is the process for discussing your concerns in a positive manner and resolving school and student related matters.

  1. Make an appointment to discuss your concern with the principal or designee.
  2. Provide documentation of incidents that need further attention.
  3. Be sure to review your child's school planner or handbook. Individual school rules and policies are located there.
  4. Disciplinary actions must follow due process according to the Student Code of Conduct. If you disagree with the outcome, you must follow the School District's appeal process as outlined in this document.
  5. Concerns that involve any school staff member must be taken to the principal at the school.
  6. Attendance matters, (school transfers, enrollment, school assignments for disciplinary actions) are handled by the Constellation Attendance Office.

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or should you need information about any school situation, please contact the local school principal.

You may need a conference at the school or a conference via telephone. Be sure the principal understands the problem before the conference so he/she can be ready to talk about it.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a comprehensive federal law that provides privacy protections for student education records. FERPA affords parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student education records. These rights are:

  1. The right to inspect and review the student's education record's within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access.
  2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
  3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained 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.
  4. 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.

Name and address of the Office that administers FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605

 

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