Confidentiality
What is YOUR responsibility?
Confidentiality FACT Check

There is a legal basis for
confidentiality of student’s
educational records. These
requirements provide that all staff
collecting or using personally
identifiable information in public
education institutions must annually
receive training on confidentiality
requirements.
Confidentiality FACT Check

Education records are defined as
those records, files, documents and
other materials which contain
information directly related to a
student that are maintained by an
educational agency, or by a person
acting for such an agency. If
requested, parents must be given
lists and locations of education
records.
Confidentiality FACT Check

Personally identifiable information
includes the student’s name;
student’s parents or other family
members; student’s address; any
personal identifier; personal
characteristics or any other
information that would make it
possible to identify or trace the
student.
Confidentiality FACT Check

Directory information includes a
student’s name, address, telephone
number, date and place of birth,
major field of study, participation in
sports and activities, weight/height,
dates of attendance,
degrees/awards received, most
recent previous educational
institution or agency attended.
Confidentiality FACT Check

Each year parents are given public
notice of the types of information
designated as directory information
Parents are given a reasonable
time-frame to refuse, in writing, the
disclosure of directory information.
Parents must be notified when
information is disclosed.
Confidentiality FACT Check

There are some conditions where
disclosure is allowable without
parent consent. For example,
disclosure to those with legitimate
education interest, transfer of
records, audit purposes, subpoenas
or court orders, disciplinary actions,
health and safety emergencies.
Confidentiality FACT Check

Parents and adult students have the
right to inspect and review records
within a reasonable period of time
of written request. This right,
however, does not include sole
possession records.
Confidentiality Quiz #1
The legal basis for confidentiality is found in
federal laws including FERPA and IDEA?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz # 2
Personally identifiable information includes a
student’s nick-name?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #3
Education records contain information directly
related to current students only and are
maintained by the educational agency or
person acting for such agency?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #4
Parents must be given the opportunity to refuse
the disclosure of directory information?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #5
Private notes are considered sole possession
records and therefore exempt from parent
review?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #6
Teachers have the right to inspect and
review the education records of any
student enrolled on their campus?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #7
Because half of her students will be offcampus the next day, the math teacher
has posted the grades from the Algebra IEOC practice test outside her classroom.
Is this a violation of FERPA?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #8
Students working as office aides may
review education records as needed in
the course of their assigned duties?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #9
The Principal is allowed to include a
student’s grades and GPA in a letter of
recommendation since the student
requested the recommendation?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality Quiz #10
FERPA rights are maintained by public
school parents during the duration of the
students school years?
TRUE
 FALSE

Confidentiality in Practice
Be aware of confidentiality laws and
requirements.
Comply with procedures regarding
written education records.
Be sensitive to violations in verbal
exchanges with others.
Confidentiality in Practice
Take care when discussing a child in
inappropriate places or situations.
Avoid repeating gossip or rumors
about a child or his family.
Practice the ethical standards
established for all teachers in
Texas.
Resources




Family Education Rights and Privacy
Act (1974, amended 1996).
Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (1975, reauthorized
1997).
TEA web-site
God-given common sense