It is the policy of the Highline School Board to maintain student records that are necessary for the educational guidance or welfare of students or that are required by law. Records will be maintained in a manner that will ensure the protection of the rights and privacy of students and parents/guardians, and records related to individual students shall be treated as confidential.  Except as permitted by law, parent/guardian or adult student consent will be required before the district releases student records.

Access to confidential records and student information will be granted to teachers and other school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records.  Access will also be granted as required or permitted by state or federal law. Student records will be forwarded to other schools or school districts upon request. Grades and transcripts shall not be withheld due to an unpaid fine or fee.  High school students may authorize the release of their transcript to prospective employers or to post-secondary institutions.

The district provides ongoing  notice of a parent’s/guardian’s or adult student's right to review student records and to opt out of having directory information released; this information can be found on the “Official Notices” page on the district website.  “Directory information” is defined as the student’s name, address, email, and phone number; date of birth; dates of enrollment and enrollment status; diplomas and awards; participation in sports; weight and height of athletes, grade level and most recent school or program attended; and photograph or video image.

Student records are the property of the district but will be available in a timely manner to parents, guardians, or adult students as specified in Superintendent Procedure 3250P.  “Parent” includes the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in those instances when a student is involved with that agency.

The Superintendent is authorized to develop procedures to implement this policy.

Cross Reference:
Policy 3116 Students in Out-of-Home (Foster) Care
Policy 4040 Public Access to District Records

WSSDA Cross Reference:
Policy 3231 Student Records

Legal Reference:
34 CFR Part 99       Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
RCW 28A.230.180   Access to campus and student information directories by official recruiting representatives
RCW 28A.635.060   Defacing or injuring school property Liability of parent or guardian
WAC 392-500-025   Pupil tests and records-Pupil personnel records-School district policy in writing

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: August 28, 1985
Revised by the Board: 9.25