Directory information is information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. The district may disclose directory information to third parties without consent if it has given public notice of the types of information which it has designated as directory information, the parents’ or eligible students’ rights to restrict the disclosure of such information, and the period of time within which a parent or eligible student has to notify the school in writing that they do not want any or all of those types of information designated as directory information.
The district has designated the following as directory information:
Student is defined as an enrolled individual, PK-12, including students in district sponsored childcare programs.
Prior to developing a student directory or giving general information to the public, parents (including parents of students open enrolled out of the district and parents of students home schooled in the district) will be given notice annually of the intent to develop a directory or to give out general information and have the opportunity to deny the inclusion of their student's information in the directory or in the general information distributed about the students.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to provide notice and to determine the method of notice that will inform parents.
Adopted: 8/89
Reviewed: 4/11; 4/12; 7/13; 10/14; 12/20; 10/23
Revised: 8/07; 8/17; 1/21
Related Policy: 505.62-R; 505.62-E; 505.63
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 22; 622.10; 281 IAC 12.3(4); 41
IASB Reference: 506.02
Mandatory Policy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, requires that the Linn-Mar Community School District, with certain exceptions, obtain written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from students’ education records. However, the school district may disclose appropriately designated directory information without written consent, unless parents have advised the district to the contrary according to board policy. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Linn-Mar Community School District to include this type of information from student education records in certain school publications. Examples include:
Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) 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 phone numbers; unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.
If parents do not want the school district to disclose directory information from their student’s education records without prior written consent, they must notify the district in writing on an annual basis.
The student handbook or similar publication given to each student which contains general information about the school will contain the following statement which will be published at least annually in a prominent place or in a newspaper of general circulation in the school district:
The following information may be released to the public in regard to any individual student of the district, as needed. Any eligible student over the age of 18 or parent/legal guardian not wanting this information released to the public must make an objection in writing to the building principal annually.
Adopted: 9/98
Reviewed: 4/11; 4/12; 7/13; 10/14; 12/20; 10/23
Revised: 8/07; 8/17; 1/21
Related Policy: 505.62; 505.62-E; 505.63
IASB Reference: 506.02-R(1)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PARENTAL AUTHORIATION FOR WITHHOLDING STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The Linn-Mar Community School District has adopted a policy designed to assure parents and students the full implementation, protection, and enjoyment of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). A copy of the school district’s policy is available for review in the administrative offices of all of our schools and on the district’s policy website [Refer to policies 505.62 and 505.62-R].
This law requires the school district to designate as directory information any personally identifiable information taken from a student’s educational records prior to making such information available to the public.
The school district has designated the following information as directory information: student’s name, address, phone number; photograph; grade level; dates of attendance; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; degrees, honors, and awards received; and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.
Parents have the right to refuse the designation of any or all of the categories of personally identifiable information as directory information with respect to their student provided they notify the school district in writing on an annual basis. If a parent desires to make such a refusal, they should complete and return the form included at the bottom of this notice.
If parents have no objection to the use of student information, they do not need to take any action.
-----------------------------Return the form below to your student's attendance center main office--------------------
Parental Directions to Withhold Student Directory Information for Education Purposes
For the school year of: _________________________________________
Student's Name: _________________________________ Date of Birth: __________________
School: ________________________________________ Grade: _______________________
Please withhold the following directory information on my student (Check all that apply):
____ Name
_____ Address
____ Phone Number
____ Photograph
____ Grade Level
____ Dates of Attendance
____ Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
____ Weight and height of members of athletic teams
____ Degrees, honors, and awards received
____ The most recent educational agency or institution attended
Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Adopted: 9/98
Reviewed: 7/13; 10/14; 12/20; 10/23
Revised: 8/17; 1/21
Related Policy: 505.62; 505.62-R; 505.63
IASB Reference: 506.02-EH(1)