JRAA - Directory Information

NOTICE FOR DIRECTORY INFORMATION

 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, requires that the Acton School Department, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records.  However, the Acton School Department may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the School Department to the contrary in accordance with Department procedures.  The primary purpose of directory information is to all the Acton School Department to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications.   Examples include:


  • A playbill, showing your student’s role in a production;

  • The annual yearbook;

  • Honor roll or other recognition lists;

  • Graduation programs; and

  • Sports activity sheets

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 education agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories – names, addresses and telephone numbers – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent. 

If you do not want the Acton School Department to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the Acton Elementary School in writing by September 30th.  The Acton School Department has designated the following information as directory information:


  • Student’s name

  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports

  • Address

  • Telephone number

  • Weight and height of members of athletic teams

  • Electronic mail address

  • Photograph

  • Degrees, honors, and awards received

  • Date and place of birth

Directory information continued:


  • Major field of study

  • Dates of attendance

  • Grade level

  • The most recent educational agency or institution attended

Legal Reference: 20 USC 1232g, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Cross References: JO Student Records

   

Adopted:   June 12, 2007

Revised:   January 13, 2022