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Ferpa

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terryrathop

Junior Member
I am in the state of Missouri, Jackson County.

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FERPA - Family Educational Right to Privacy Act.

I have been researching FERPA to obtain further information about the legalities of this privacy act. My children's school district has provided me with a letter stating because of FERPA, no parent is allowed to to visit the school during school hours, or to attend field trips with their children without the district obtaining a background check first. From the information I've found, FERPA is only an act protecting the privacy of a students records, just as HIPAA is the privacy of medical patient records. Is there something in Missouri legislature that would prevent parents attending school functions because of FERPA?
 


It's your kid, your taxes, and therefore your school. They can request you give notice before spending time, some will ask for 24 hours notice, in your child's class, but most will warmly ask you to attend as you can.
This is not a FERPA issue.

FERPA does not require background checks before going on outings with your child's classroom. The school or the district can require it, but refer to above - your child, . . . .

Your child's school has lost sight to whose children they are serving. I think you should call the FERPA info line: For additional information or technical assistance, you may call (202) 260-3887 (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.
 

pty

Member
My child’s school in NC starting requiring background checks last year. Although, the school never stated anything about FERPA--they only said it was a new school policy.

Here, the check isn’t required if you 'visit' the school (for example, to eat lunch with your child) but it’s required if you 'volunteer' and therefore could be in a situation where you might be placed 'in charge' of other children. The background check is a simple process. All you do is fill out a form (it only takes a few minutes) and the school does the rest.

Honestly, I never questioned if it’s legal, but as a parent I don’t have a problem with it. I see it as a way of ensuring that my child is safe.

For example, when a parent (here, at least) volunteers to chaperon a field trip, it’s not just their child that they chaperon, it’s other children too. On a field trip each chaperon is assigned a small group of children (usually 3 or 4) to oversee. I certainly wouldn’t want my child in Jack’s daddy’s group, if Jack’s daddy was a convicted child molester.

Still, it is a slightly different situation then what you described where you have to have the check merely to visit your child’s school.
 
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