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Heard
in the Halls:
“I’ve
come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element
in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the
climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher
I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable
or joyous."
– Hiam Ginott
"Relationships are the foundation of a personalized school.
Opening students' minds to lifelong learning requires cultivating
their trust and respect. Without a positive student-teacher relationship,
many students aren't even willing to try." – Dennis Littky
and Farrell Allen
From
Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms by Jane Bluestein, Ph.D., reviewed
in The Bulletin, Volume 1, No.
1. |
Primer...
continued from page 6
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enforcement officials on any criminal or
violent acts (assault, homicide, child abuse) or possession
of weapons or drugs. Property damage, vandalism, and destruction
of property may or may not come under the state reporting
requirement. In addition, internal school board policies based
on state or local requirements may govern these areas, and
readers are urged to contact local legal authorities to determine
the specific rules in their community.
Response to Release of Student Records
Schools will not be liable in a civil suit by students or
parents for FERPA viola
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tions,
primarily due to the exclusive remedies by the Secretary of
Education provided in the federal statute. FERPA may create,
however, a right actionable under civil rights statutes. American
courts are split on this issue so readers are advised to contact
their local school counsel for guidance in this area. It is
clear, however, that administrative remedies need not be exhausted
for a person to bring suit against a school under civil rights
laws. 
This article
is an excerpt from "School Safety and Youth Violence:
A Legal Primer." Download the complete text at http://hamfish.org/
framework/frameworks/primer.pdf.
go to last page
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| Checklist
- Student Records
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Recognize that the student may always seek appropriate judicial
relief.
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Schools should adopt policies and procedures consistent
with the requirements of FERPA. Students, parents, and legal
guardians should be informed of their rights under this
act.
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Accurate student records should be maintained. Student records
should include the name, title, date, description of educational
interest, specific records examined and the place of examination.
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Any corrections or adjustments to student records should
be dated and initialed by the person responsible, with the
knowledge and approval of school officials.
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School personnel should avoid labeling children.
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Disciplinary information in student records should be specific
regarding the infraction committed (time, place, and witnesses)
as appropriate. The student should be informed of the information
recorded and provided a copy as appropriate.
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School personnel should not discuss student records with
third parties. Gossip or careless talk among school personnel
may not be protected by various privileges.
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Student records should be maintained in a safe and secure
place and should not be removed from school premises by
school personnel without proper authorization.
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Unless prohibited by court order, the noncustodial parent
should be afforded the same right to access student records
as the custodial parent.
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To avoid allegations of malicious intent, transmit only
the information that is requested by a prospective employer.
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Avoid releasing information by telephone, unless the requestor’s
identity is confirmed.
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Consult with the school’s legal counsel regarding
any questions, conflict or difficulty involving student
records or FERPA.
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