FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides parents and students who are 18 years of age or older, referred to as “eligible students,” with certain rights regarding the student’s education records.
1. Right to Inspect and Review Records
Parents and eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the District receives a written request.
The request should be submitted to the student’s building principal or other appropriate school official and should identify the records to be inspected. The school will arrange access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be reviewed.
2. Right to Request Amendment of Records
Parents and eligible students may request that the District amend education records they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise violate the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
A written request should be submitted to the student’s building principal or appropriate school official. The request must clearly identify the portion of the record to be changed and explain why it should be changed.
If the District does not amend the record as requested, it will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of the right to request a hearing. Information concerning the hearing procedures will be provided at that time.
3. Right to Consent to Disclosure
Parents and eligible students generally have the right to provide written consent before the District discloses personally identifiable information from a student’s education records. FERPA permits certain disclosures without consent.
The District may disclose education records without prior consent to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the information.
A school official may include:
- A District or school employee serving as an administrator, supervisor, teacher, counselor, school nurse, support staff member, or school law-enforcement-unit employee;
- A member of the Board of School Directors;
- An attorney, auditor, medical consultant, therapist, contractor, consultant, volunteer, or other individual performing an institutional service or function for the District and who is under the District’s direct control regarding the use and maintenance of education records; or
- A parent, student, or volunteer serving on an official committee or assisting another school official in performing assigned responsibilities.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest when access to an education record is necessary to fulfill the official’s professional responsibilities.
Upon request, the District may also disclose education records without consent to another school, school district, or postsecondary institution in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled, when the disclosure relates to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
Other disclosures permitted by FERPA may include disclosures:
- To authorized federal, state, or local educational authorities for an audit, evaluation, or enforcement activity;
- In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or received;
- To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the District;
- To accrediting organizations;
- To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
- To appropriate officials during a health or safety emergency; or
- Of information properly designated by the District as directory information.
The District maintains a record of disclosures when required by FERPA. Parents and eligible students have the right to inspect that record.
4. Right to File a Complaint
Parents and eligible students may file a complaint concerning an alleged failure by the District to comply with FERPA with:
U.S. Department of Education
Student Privacy Policy Office
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202-8520
Email: FERPA.Complaints@ed.gov
FERPA Complaint Information and Form
District FERPA Contact
Questions concerning education records or rights under FERPA may be directed to:
Dr. Lori J. Rosensteel, Ed.D.
Director of K–12 Student Services and Workforce Development
Connellsville Area School District
732 Rockridge Road
Connellsville, PA 15425
lrosensteel@casdfalcons.org