The Counselors

• Anita Emshoff • Alpha A – K• X2108

• Brandy Holekamp• Alpha L – Z • X2107

The Counselor Student Referral Form will be emailed and a hard copy can be picked up in the office.

Complete the form to the best of your knowledge.

Please do not send a student with the form as the information is confidential.

Student referrals for Counselors

Students requesting a schedule change for any reason should not be sent to the counselor’s office.

Student will need to pick up a form from the main office in between classes, lunch time or before and after school.

Exceptions to allowing students to come to the counselor’s office on the first day of class:

Empty class periodTwo of the same classes

•Schedule Changes

FERPA:the protection of our students

1. What is FERPA?

• FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and is a federal law that was enacted in 1974. FERPA protects the privacy of student education records. All educational institutions that receive federal funding must comply with FERPA.

2. Why should I care about FERPA?

•The Federal Government requires us to do so – IT’S THE LAW!•Because it is in the best interest to protect our students.•Maintaining confidentiality of student records is everyone’s responsibility.

3. What information Might Need to Be Handled in a Secure Way?

• Registration forms• Transcripts• Student information displayed on your computer screen• Grades• Student Schedules• Class assignments• Class Rosters• Any paper with the student’s ID

4. What are primary rights of parents under FERPA?

“Right to inspect and review education records.”

This right entitles the parent to:• require the school to explain and interpret the records• have a parent representative inspect and review the

records• require the school to give the parent copies of the records• seek to amend education records• have some control over the disclosure of information from

education records• These rights transfer to the student when the student turns 18 or attends a post-secondary institution

5. What is “Personally Identifiable Information” ?

• The student’s name• Name of the student’s parent or other family member• Address of the student or student’s family• A personal identifier, such as a social security number or student number• A list of personal characteristics or other information that would make the student’s identity easily traceable

•6. What is “Directory Information” ?

• It is information that can be released without the student’s written consent.

• Directory information includes, but is not limited to, the student's name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, honors and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.

7. What are "education records“ and who can look at them?

•Contain information which is directly related to a student and….

• Are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution.•Faculty and Staff who have an legitimate educational interest.

8. What constitutes "legitimate educational interest"?

• School officials shall be allowed access who have a legitimate educational interest defined as:

• Working with the student;• Consideration of disciplinary or academic actions;

• Compiling statistical data;• Fulfilling the official’s professional responsibility; or

• Investigating or evaluating programs.

Remember curiosity is not a legitimate educational interest.

9. What is NOT an Educational Record?

• Private notes created solely by an individual• Personal records that may be exempt from parent access if not revealed to anyone• Notes Must Not Be Revealed or Accessible To Any Other Person

10. What are some confidentially violations?

•When Staff Discusses Student in Inappropriate Places• Inappropriate Electronic Communications•When Staff Gossips About Student & Family

What can we do to make sure we are not a FERPA violator?

When in doubt, don’t give it

out!

You have been

FERPA-ized!