Tech Directions - September 2007 - (Page 35)

of the parent or eligible student. As a result, many schools include a statement in the work-based training agreement to be signed by both parents and students authorizing the school to release pertinent educational records to employers. Students regularly ask CTE instructors to write letters of reference for employment, scholarships, and enrollment in other institutions. Under FERPA, facts often addressed in letters of recommenCTE educators dations (e.g., GPA, should resolve to stay course grades, performance, and other informed regarding upnon-directory inforto-date policies and mation) are part of practices, and when in doubt seek the students’ educaadvice regarding the privacy and tional records. Condisclosure of students’ educational sequently, instructors must obtain a records. signed release from the parent or student specifying the records to be personnel and/or the school’s legal disclosed, the purpose, and to counsel. whom the disclosure will be made. CTE educators also need to keep Also, if a letter of recommendaFERPA in mind when interacting with tion is kept on file, the student reemployers of students who particitains the right to read and inspect it, pate in work-based learning initiaunless this right has been specifitives and when writing letters of cally waived. An exception to obtainrecommendation. Since work-based ing a release when writing a letter of learning, such as internships, job reference occurs when the recomshadowing, and cooperative work mendation is based solely on perexperience, is common in CTE, insonal association/observation with structors and work-based education the student and the letter does not coordinators should fully undercontain any information acquired stand how FERPA applies to their from educational records (Univerwork with potential and current sity of Utah, n.d.). employers of students. Clearly, FERPA has far-reaching In placing students in productive implications for CTE teachers and training sites, educators must comadministrators. Consequently, CTE municate information regarding educators should resolve to stay students’ qualifications to prospecinformed regarding up-to-date politive employers. To make informed cies and practices, and when in decisions, employers usually redoubt seek advice regarding the quest information on students’ privacy and disclosure of students’ grades, courses, and performance. educational records. Although employers participate in the work-based learning experience, References they are not deemed “school offiBensing, R. M. (2005, August 17). FERPA: cials” with a “legitimate educational Family Educational Rights and Privacy interest” (Hall & Marsh, 2003). ConAct. Presentation. New Mexico Junior College. sequently, in accordance with FERPA, Center for Health and Health Care in instructors and coordinators may Schools (2003, June). The impact of not disclose information considered FERPA and HIPAA on privacy protecpart of the students’ educational tions for health information at school: records without the written consent Questions from readers. Retrieved These situations might be addressed through completion of confidentially agreements that affirm that the student aides or volunteers will protect the privacy of students. However, most legal experts suggest that when in doubt, instructors should err on the side of caution and not disclose a student’s educational information without first consulting enrollment management March 20, 2006, from http://www .healthinschools.org/ejournal/ 2003/ privacy.htm Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (2005, November). HIPAA and FERPA: An update on privacy rules. Retrieved March 20, 2006, from http:// www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/ 2005/nov1.htm Florida Department of Education (2003, May). Overview of federal laws pertaining to sharing individually-identifiable education records. Retrieved May 27, 2006, from http://www.ncset.org/ tacommunities/postschool/ FedConfidLaws.doc Hall, B. H., & Marsh, R.J. (2003). Legal issues in career and technical education. Homewood, IL: American Technical Publishers. Kaplin, W. A., & Lee, B. A. (1995). The law of higher education: A comprehensive guide to legal implications of administrative decision making (3rd. ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. National School Boards Association (NSBA) (2004). Guidance for school districts on student education records, directory information, health information, and other privacy provisions. Alexandria, VA: Author. Special School District (n.d.). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Retrieved April 2, 2006, from http:// www.ssd.k12.mo.us/about_SSD/ PublicNotices/ferpa.html Stover, D. E. (2002, January). Passage of the USA Patriot Act: The effect on release of student information. Legal Briefs, 5 (1), 4-5. University of Utah (n.d.). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Online tutorial for faculty and staff. Retrieved March 22, 2006, from http:// www.sa.utah.edu/regist/ferpa/faculty/ guide.htm U.S. Department of Education (2005, February). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Retrieved March 20, 2006, from http:// www.ed.gov/ policy/gen/guid/fpco/ ferpa/index.html U.S. Department of Education (2006, March). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Regulations. Retrieved May 28, 2006, from http:// www.ed.gov/ policy/gen/guid/fpco/ pdf/ferparegs.pdf Ward, E. N. (2002, February). USA Patriot Act of 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2006, from http://www.utexas.edu/computer/news/features/0202/ patriotact.html Wilson, B. (2004, October). Integrated performance information for workforce development: A blueprint for states. Retrieved May 27, 2006, from http:// www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/ news/docs/IPI_Blueprint_Third_ Draft.pdf www.techdirections.com CAREER/TECHNICAL EDUCATION 35 http://www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/2003/privacy.htm http://www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/2003/privacy.htm http://www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/2005/nov1.htm http://www.healthinschools.org/ejournal/2005/nov1.htm http://www.ncset.org/tacommunities/postschool/FedConfidLaws.doc http://www.ncset.org/tacommunities/postschool/FedConfidLaws.doc http://www.ssd.k12.mo.us/about_SSD/PublicNotices/ferpa.html http://www.ssd.k12.mo.us/about_SSD/PublicNotices/ferpa.html http://www.sa.utah.edu/regist/ferpa/faculty/guide.htm http://www.sa.utah.edu/regist/ferpa/faculty/guide.htm http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/pdf/ferparegs.pdf http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/pdf/ferparegs.pdf http://www.utexas.edu/computer/news/features/0202/patriotact.html http://www.utexas.edu/computer/news/features/0202/patriotact.html http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/news/docs/IPI_Blueprint_Third_Draft.pdf http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/news/docs/IPI_Blueprint_Third_Draft.pdf http://www.techdirections.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - September 2007

Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Dome, Sweet Dome—Geodesic Structures Teach Math, Science, and Technology Principles Help Students Become Wise Energy Consumers How Does FERPA Affect You? Camera Operator and Videographer e-gallery Product Central Free for the Asking More than Fun

Tech Directions - September 2007

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