The
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that OCPS, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, OCPS may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised OCPS to the contrary in accordance with OCPS procedures and Board
Policy JRA, titled, “Student Records.” The form to opt-out of the release of directory information can be obtained from your child’s school or by completing the form found at
https://www.ocps.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=54703&pageId=1259544. Please note, directory information, as permitted by the Board, will only be shared with contracted entities and is pursuant to Board
Policy JRA, title “Student Records.”
In accordance with FERPA and Board Policy JRA, the following information, also known as “directory information,” can be found in your child’s school records and is not confidential:
• Student name;
• Student address;
• Telephone numbers, if listed;
• Name of the most recent previous school or program attended;
• Dates of attendance at schools in the district;
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
• Diplomas, certificates, and honors received;
• Date of graduation; and
• Date and place of birth.
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.
Military recruiters may also request the name, addresses, and telephone listings of students pursuant to federal law. Local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), must provide the requested information to the military recruiters, unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent. [Note: These laws are
Section 9528 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. § 7908) and
10 U.S.C. § 503(c), and
Section 1003.451, Florida Statutes.]
In addition, the names and directory information pertaining to children of active or former law enforcement officers, investigative personnel of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, firefighters, justices and judges, and other officials, as outlined in
Section 119.07, Florida Statutes, are exempt from disclosure. If such a parent/guardian makes a written request to the school that information not be released by the school without parent/guardian consent, the school shall not release such information.