Law and Rights
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995
School records created by a high school, elementary school, private school, or school district, can loom as an unknown for many parents. One way to debunk the mystery is to make a yearly request for the pupil records to be released.
Per California Education Code section 49069, a parent has an absolute right to access their child's records. This right also transfers to a student when they are 18 years old.
The code states as follows:
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Law and Rights
How Do You Get Your Kids School Records Released?
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995
School records created by a high school, elementary school, private school, or school district, can loom as an unknown for many parents. One way to debunk the mystery is to make a yearly request for the pupil records to be released.
Per California Education Code section 49069, a parent has an absolute right to access their child's records. This right also transfers to a student when they are 18 years old.
The code states as follows:
Parents of currently enrolled or former pupils have an absolute right to access to any and all pupil records related to their children that are maintained by school districts or private schools. The editing or withholding of any of those records, except as provided for in this chapter, is prohibited.
What this means is that parents of students of all school levels may review, inspect, and receive copies of records concerning their children.
Districts are also commanded by this code section to develop procedures for parents to obtain student records. These procedures should be outlined in the school board policies.
Schools can charge a per page copy fee for any records provided, but cannot charge for the time of the staff gathering the records.
Parents should request their child's records in writing at least once a year, quoting the relevant board policy or Education Code 49069. Parents can be shocked at just what is contained in their child's files and need to watch them.
If the school or school district hassles a parent on provision or fails to provide the records, the parent should have an education attorney send the request.
Best,
Michelle Ball
Education Law Attorney
LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL
717 K Street, Suite 228
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-9064
Fax: 916-444-1209
Website: http://www.edlaw4students.com/
Education Law Attorney
LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL
717 K Street, Suite 228
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-444-9064
Fax: 916-444-1209
Website: http://www.edlaw4students.com/
Blog: http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/michelleaball
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EdLaw4Students
Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page [http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/]. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting, etc. etc.! This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship.
- Student Records Problems? Contact The Family Policy Compliance Office
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Have you ever had a problem getting your or your child's student records from a school? Or, have you encountered school staff speaking about your confidential...
- Records Rights In California Community Colleges
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Do you or a family member attend one of the many California community colleges? Have you ever wondered what data the college is gathering on you? Or, have you had "issues"...
- Interdistrict Transfers In California: Can A School Require You To Reapply?
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Interdistrict transfers (move of student from one school district to another at parent request) are common events. A parent does not like where their child attends school,...
- What Happens After A School Expels A Student? Can They Still Attend Some School?
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 No one likes to think about school expulsions or their child getting kicked out of school. But what if the very worst happens? What if an expulsion from the school district...
- Can A Parent Withdraw A Student Or Move Away To Avoid A Pending School Expulsion Hearing?
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 As a California expulsion lawyer, I frequently meet with parents regarding pending school expulsions. One of the questions which often comes up is whether, if the parent...