REQUEST TO DENY PUBLIC ACCESS TO DIRECTORY INFORMATION FERPA and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (“MGDPA”) require that the School District, with certain exceptions, obtain written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s education records. The School District, however, may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” to certain parties without written consent, UNLESS the District has been advised to the contrary in writing ANNUALLY by a parent or eligible student. Student Data/Directory Information Directory information is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released. Directory information is public data under federal and state law and can be disclosed to outside organizations and individuals without prior written consent unless otherwise instructed. The primary purpose of designating certain data as directory information is to allow the School District to include such information in certain school publications without delays created by waiting for specific consent. Directory information may include: • • • • • • • • • • • • Student’s name Postal address Photograph Date and place of birth Major field of study Enrollment status or dates of attendance Grade level Weight and height of members of athletic teams Degrees, honors and awards received The most recent educational agency or institution attended Immunization Status It can also include the name and postal address of the student’s parent(s). If a parent or eligible student does NOT want the School District to disclose directory information from a student’s education records without prior written consent, they must notify the District in writing each school year. Armed Services Data - grades 11 and 12 only: In addition, federal and state laws require school districts receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (“ESEA”) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents or students have advised the school district that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent. Similarly, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Section 13.32, subdivision 5a, schools must release to military recruiting officers the names, addresses and home telephone numbers of students in grades 11 and 12, – UNLESS parents or students have advised the school district that they do not want the information disclosed without their prior written consent. • • • If you wish to allow ALL of the student data to be published/distributed, you do not need to do anything further. If you would like to opt out of releasing data for any of the above, please check your district for a policy and notify your school district in writing YEARLY. We have enclosed an example you may use or build off of for your convenience. If you feel your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint here: Family Policy Compliance Office United States Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-8520 Prepared with the support of the Minnesota Chapter of ParentalRights.Org www.parentalrightsmn.org | info@parentalrightsmn.org ANNUAL STUDENT DIRECTORY OPT-OUT NOTICE I understand that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, allows my school or school district to disclose designated “directory information” to third parties without my written consent, unless I inform the school/district otherwise. We are submitting this letter to formally OPT OUT of releasing the Directory Information and require prior written consent. Parent or guardian name: ______________________________________________________________________ Student name: _______________________________________________________________________________ Student grade: _______________________________________________________________________________ Student ID number: ___________________________________________________________________________ School name: ________________________________________________________________________________ Date: _________________________ School Year:__________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian signature (if student is under 18): __________________________________________________ Parent or guardian email address: ________________________________________________________________ Student signature (if student is over 18): ___________________________________________________________ Directory information that I DO NOT want the school or district to share with ANYONE without prior written consent (please check all that apply): ___ Student’s name ___ Postal address ___ Photograph/Video ___ Date and place of birth ___ Major field of study ___ Dates of attendance ___ Grade level ___ Enrollment status (full-time or part-time) ___ Participation in officially recognized activities and sports ___ Weight and height of members of athletic teams ___ Grades, Degrees, honors and awards received ___ The most recent educational agency or institution attended ___ Immunization Status ___ Names and postal address of the student’s parent(s) ___ Any information that might otherwise be considered personal or confidential Prepared with the support of the Minnesota Chapter of ParentalRights.Org www.parentalrightsmn.org | info@parentalrightsmn.org Exceptions My child's school or school district may share the directory information ONLY for the following purposes: ____ Using my child's directory information, as indicated above, for school or district publications, including but not limited to, a yearbook, graduation program, theater playbill, athletic team or band roster, newsletter, and other school and district publications. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with the U.S. Military. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with colleges and other educational institutions. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with prospective employers. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with political officers. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with the National Student Clearinghouse. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with news media outside the school or district. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with the school PTA or district parent organization. ____ Sharing my child’s directory information, as indicated above, with other groups and entities outside of the school or district, including community, advocacy and/or parent organizations. ____ Sharing my child’s directory information, as indicated above, with companies who are marketing products. ____ Sharing my child's directory information, as indicated above, with charter schools or mailing houses who are used by charter schools to send recruiting materials to families. ____ Posting my child's directory information, as indicated above, on official school-related websites or social media accounts. ____ Posting my child's directory information, as indicated above, on school employees' personal websites or social media accounts. Disclaimer: These materials do not constitute legal advice. Consult a private lawyer or call your local ACLU should you have specific questions. Prepared with the support of the Minnesota Chapter of ParentalRights.Org www.parentalrightsmn.org | info@parentalrightsmn.org