Student Privacy Rights, Photo Release and Release of Records

STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Federal law allows Highline Public Schools to disclose some personally identifiable information about students (“student directory information”), without written consent. Information may be given to outside organizations, but the primary use of directory information is to allow the school district to include this information in certain school publications, including:

• The annual yearbook
• Honor roll or other recognition lists
• Printed programs for graduation, sports competitions or school plays
• School-related social media posts and video productions, print and online communication and media coverage of district/school events or activities.

Highline Public Schools defines “student directory information” as:

• Name, address, email address and phone number
• Date of birth
• Dates of enrollment and enrollment status
• Diplomas and awards
• Participation in activities and sports
• Height and weight (for athletes)
• Grade level and most recent school or program attended
• Photograph or video image

If you do not want the school district to disclose directory information, including your student’s photo or video image, without prior written consent, you must notify your school by the first day of school each school year. This includes sharing directory information with media outlets and partner organizations.

STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION REQUESTS BY OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS

If you ask the school district not to release student directory information, you will not receive some mailings that are routinely sent to students and their families from outside organizations, including notifications from government agencies, higher education institutes and information about school pictures and yearbooks (which may prevent your child from being included in the yearbook).

The law permits the school district to disclose student directory information without parental consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION REQUESTS BY MILITARY RECRUITERS

Federal law requires the school district to provide military recruiters with students’ name, address and phone number unless parents have informed the district not to do so.

If you do not want the school district to disclose directory information, or if you want your child’s contact information withheld specifically from military recruiters, you must inform your school by September 15 of each school year.

STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION REQUESTS BY OSPI

State law requires school districts to provide the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with high school student and guardian names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, unless parents have informed the district not to do so. OSPI shares this information with higher education institutions. 

If you do not want the school district to disclose this information, or if you want your child’s or guardian's contact information withheld  specifically from OSPI, you must inform your school by September 15 of each school year.

Under federal law and Highline School Board Policy 3250, Highline Public Schools is prohibited from releasing identifiable student records (except student directory information) without parent/guardian permission. Student records include, but are not limited to:

• Grades
• Achievement test scores
• Attendance records
• Disciplinary records

You should know the following regarding student records:

• You have the right to review your child’s student records in the presence of school personnel.
• You may ask the school to amend a record you believe is inaccurate. To do so, clearly identify in writing the change requested and specify why the record is inaccurate.
• Student records may be disclosed without consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests.

If you have questions or concerns about the student records policy or wish to review or amend student records, contact your school principal.

If you believe the school district has failed to protect your student’s privacy rights, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. Contact:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-590

Under federal law, you have the right to:

• Inspect instructional materials used in conjunction with a survey, analysis, or evaluation funded by the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
• Provide written consent before your child participates in ED-funded surveys, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
  • Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
  • Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
  • Sexual behavior or attitudes;
  • Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
  • Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
  • Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
  • Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
  • Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

If any of these activities are scheduled, the district will provide notice to parents at that time, as well as an opportunity to review the materials.

Under state law, you have the right to request public records on school employee discipline. You also have a right to know the qualifications of the teacher or paraeducator providing instruction or services to your child.  If you wish to request information on a particular employee, please send a written request to:

Human Resources
Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd SW
Burien, WA 98166