Student Confidentiality

[webjd93]

In New Jersey, what are the consequences if a high school teacher discloses to one student confidential information regarding another student?

The teacher received an email stating that my daughter was sick in the hospital and would not be returning to school in the near future. (It also said if there were any questions, please contact the parent.) The teacher approached another student (Sally) and asked if she knew that my daughter was sick and where my daughter was, stating that he received an email. The teacher pumped Sally for information, finally asking if she knew but wasn't allowed to tell. Feeling pressured, and believing the teacher wouldn't stop asking, Sally said she wasn't allowed to tell.

What recourse do we have against the teacher or the Board of Education?

 

[Humusluvr]

In New Jersey, what are the consequences if a high school teacher discloses to one student confidential information regarding another student?

The teacher received an email stating that my daughter was sick in the hospital and would not be returning to school in the near future. (It also said if there were any questions, please contact the parent.) The teacher approached another student (Sally) and asked if she knew that my daughter was sick and where my daughter was, stating that he received an email. The teacher pumped Sally for information, finally asking if she knew but wasn't allowed to tell. Feeling pressured, and believing the teacher wouldn't stop asking, Sally said she wasn't allowed to tell.

What recourse do we have against the teacher or the Board of Education?

Who sent the email to the teacher initially, stating that the student wouldn't be returning? Was a doctor's excuse given to the office to actually receive an excused absence?

The teacher seems to think them email could have been a fake (from the student) and was asking Sally about your daughter. This doesn't seem malicious - just the teacher being inquisitive.

In the end, there was no HIPPA violation, and the teacher didn't tell Sally anything of any consequence, so there would be nothing you could pursue legally and nothing you could go through the Board of Ed to do. Even if you had a sit down with the principal, the only thing the principal could do is tell the teacher "Please forward the emails to me." The teacher really didn't do anything wrong.

There would be no recourse. In the future, make sure you follow the school's procedure for long term absences.

 

[webjd93]

Thanks for the reply.

The funny thing is that I did follow the school's long term absence policy and have been in constant contact with the guidance office. The email was sent to all of my daughter's teachers from the nurse's office. The nurse and the guidance counselor consulted with me before sending it. So, there couldn't be any confusion in the teacher's mind as to the source or authenticity of the information.

 

[Humusluvr]

Thanks for the reply.

The funny thing is that I did follow the school's long term absence policy and have been in constant contact with the guidance office. The email was sent to all of my daughter's teachers from the nurse's office. The nurse and the guidance counselor consulted with me before sending it. So, there couldn't be any confusion in the teacher's mind as to the source or authenticity of the information.

So, because I can't read you mind - What are you THINKING was the teacher's motivation in "pumping Sally for information?"

I am not clear on why you think the teacher or Board should be "sanctioned" or punished?