They've Got Your Number...
Student Directory Information is Public Information Unless...
by Paul Massman
August 19, 2008
Some questions have come up because of military recruiters contacting students about considering military service after high school. If you closely read the Student Handbook in the section on Student Records you will find some basic information on this topic. In summary it is this:
Student directory information is released without parental permission, unless the parent asks the school district not to release it. Parents must notify the school district if they do not want directory information released to any who ask. Directory information includes name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, "major" field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, degrees and awards received, most recent educational institution attended, year in school (freshman, etc.) dates of attendance, and heights and weights of athletes.
A special provision of the No Child Left Behind federal law specifies that this material is available to military recruiters unless we are notified of an "opt out." No form is needed for this, but putting the notice on paper to us is a very good idea so we can file it in the student's record. Again, no written form is needed, and the file is just to help us remember from year to year. There could still be an accidental disclosure, but we have worked out a system with the building secretaries to minimize those. When the student becomes 18 years of age, they can make this request and it will be honored.
If you have questions about this, please contact us.
