HEC/News: University rights to call parents affirmed (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

HEC/News
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

University rights to call parents affirmed
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (PA) January 24, 2009
By Bonnie Pfister

"New federal guidelines developed after the Virginia Tech massacre would
allow universities to contact parents if administrators think a student
could harm himself or others."

"The clarification of the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act, or FERPA, allows administrators to disclose a student's education
records to third parties, including parents, if 'there is an articulable
and significant threat to the health or safety of the student or other
individuals...'"

"When the rule changes were announced last month, then-Education
Secretary Margaret Spellings said they balanced student privacy with
school safety. Parents often are in the best position to help children
during these crises, an education department statement said..."

Full article available at
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_608605.
html

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Received on Tue Jan 27 2009 - 09:29:40 EST