DOE Releases New Guidelines for Sharing Student Information

By Debra Lau Whelan -- School Library Journal, 11/1/2007 10:04:00 AM

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings this week released a new set of guidelines to help K-12 educators and parents better understand federal privacy laws when it comes to school safety concerns.

Prompted by the mass shootings at Virginia Tech last April, the brochures provide guidance on what information can be shared among government agencies and parents under the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) when dealing with school security.

"Nothing is more important to Americans than the safety of their children, and the guidance we are making available today will help make America's schools safer," said Spellings. "FERPA is not intended to be an obstacle to school safety, and the brochures will enable parents, teachers and administrators to safeguard students in our education system."

President Bush asked Spellings, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez to consult with educators, parents, and others to address concerns related to emergency preparedness and school safety. The most commonly heard concern was the need for further guidance on FERPA, a federal law that protects the privacy of students' education records.

The Department of Education’s three new guides are for K-12 educators, parents, and universities. The one for schools explains that the law empowers school officials to act quickly and decisively when problems arise, and they have been sent schools, school boards, associations and others nationwide.

The new FERPA guidance and brochures are available online at www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/
fpco/ferpa/safeschools/.

Brochures can be ordered from the U.S. Department of Education's Publications Center by calling 1-877-433-7827 or e-mailing edpubs@inet.ed.gov.