FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STUDENT RECORDS
/What is a student record? Who can access it? What can people see when they look in the student record? Here are five fast facts to know about student records in Massachusetts.
1ST
Any student who is 14 or older has a right to look at any and all of their student records within ten days a request and before any IEP meeting or due process hearing. Yes, they can do this even without their parent’s permission per the law.
2nd
Any information in your child’s student record that is personally identifiable must be kept confidential and may only be disclosed to anyone other than teachers and educational officials with your consent.
3rd
What makes up a student record? It consists of your student’s transcript and temporary school record and includes health records, tests, evaluations, discipline records and other records pertaining to your student’s special education eligibility or program.
4th
The school district can charge a reasonable fee to reproduce a child’s student record. You may not be charged for costs associated with the search for and retrieval of your student’s records.
5th
The school district can only limit access to the student record if it has received a legal document such as a restraining order or a divorce or custody decree that restricts access to information about the student’s education.
All of the rights associated with the student record are contained in the Massachusetts Student Record Regulations 603 CMR 23.00. Those regulations can be found at link.
Have questions or concerns about your student? Contact us to discuss further:
E.M. Curran & Associates LLC
10 Tower Office Park
Suite 406
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-933-1542
Fax: 781-933-1549
ellen@emcurranlegal.com
