Annual Notice of Parental Student Rights
Annual Notifications
FERPA Rights & Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
The Uninterrupted Scholars Act (Public Law 112-278) was enacted on January 14, 2013. The Act amends FERPA to permit educational agencies and institutions to disclose a student's education records, without parental consent, to a caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare agency or tribal organization authorized to access a student's case plan "when such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal law, for the care and protection of the student."
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. Education records are defined as all "materials maintained by the school, district, district employee or district agents, which is directly related to a student and maintained by the district or a party acting for the district." Records include, but are not limited to, documents, tape recordings, and video recordings. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."
Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
School officials with legitimate educational interest;
Other schools to which a student is transferring;
Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
Accrediting organizations;
To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.
Schools may disclose, without consent, "DIRECTORY" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. SCSC annually discloses this information in the Student/ Parent handbook. For additional information, you may call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (voice) or TDD may call 1-800-437-0833. Or you may contact the US Department of Education:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment Notification (PPRA)
PPRA (20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 CFR Part 98) applies to programs that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). PPRA is intended to protect the rights of parents and students in two ways:
It seeks to ensure that schools and contractors make instructional materials available for inspection by parents if those materials will be used in connection with an ED funded survey, analysis, or evaluation in which their children participate; and
It seeks to ensure that schools and contractors obtain written parental consent before minor students are required to participate in any ED funded survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
Political affiliations;
Mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student and his/her family;
Sex behavior and attitudes;
Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior;
Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers; or
Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).
Parents or students who believe their rights under PPRA may have been violated may file a complaint with ED by writing the Family Policy Compliance Office. Complaints must contain specific allegations of fact giving reasonable cause to believe that a violation of PPRA occurred.
For additional information or technical assistance, you may call (202) 260-3887 (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877- 8339. Or you may contact us at the following address:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
Discrimination - Notice & Contacts
(Title VI, Title IX, Title II, Sec 504, Age Act, Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act)
Southwest georgia S.T.E.M. Charter (SCSC) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, alienage, veteran, parental, family and marital status in its programs and activities, or in its employment decisions, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. SCSC is committed to creating a safe, healthy learning environment for all students that enhances personal safety and encourages respect, dignity, and equality among students. SCSC complies with the following laws:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. The following individual is designated to as the Title VI Coordinator for SCSC:
Ginger Almon
School Leader
galmon@sowegastemcharter.org
229-345-3033
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The district also complies with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA"). The following person is designated as the Title II/ Section 504 Coordinator for SCSC:
Natalie Zajac
504 Coordinator
nzajac@sowegastemcharter.org
229-345-3033
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Title IX also prohibits gender-based harassment, which may include acts of verbal, nonverbal, or physical aggression, intimidation, or hostility based on sex or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature. The following person is designated as the Title IX Section 504 Coordinator for SCSC:
Natalie Zajac
504 Coordinator
nzajac@sowegastemcharter.org
229-345-3033
The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination on the basis of age.
Under the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, no public elementary school or state or local education agency that provides an opportunity for one or more outside youth or community groups to meet on school premises or in school facilities before or after school hours shall deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to, or discriminate against, any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, or any other youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. The following individual has been designated to investigate alleged violations of this act as the Title IX, Age Act and Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act Coordinator:
Kadie Phillips
Title IX Coordinator
kphillips@sowegastemcharter.org
229-345-3033
REPORTING DISCRIMINATION
Any person who believes that he or she has been the victim of discrimination should report the alleged discrimination within 30 days of the occurrence by:
Calling the Safe Schools Hotline at 587-STOP
Submitting an online report through 587-STOP - TIPS Hotline
Sending an email, telephone/fax, or letter by mail
Filing a complaint in person
Once a complaint has been made, designated personnel will begin an investigation, track progress, and determine whether the alleged conduct constitutes a violation of Title VI, Title IX, Title II, Section 504, the Age Act , or the Boy Scouts Equal Access Act, and take appropriate action.
Discrimination complaints may be submitted to an employee supervisor or the Superintendent by email, telephone/fax, mail or in-person.
STUDENTS COMPLAINTS:
School Leader
galmon@sowegastemcharter.org
229-345-3033
PERSONNEL COMPLAINTS:
School Leader
galmon@sowegastemcharter.org
229-345-3033
For further information from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) on notices of non-discrimination, visit https:// wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/cfapps/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Notification (AHERA)
AHERA requires the inspection of all school buildings for asbestos. SCSC has complied with this act. A management plan documenting these inspections is on file for public review. Upon request, you may view the plan which is located in the main office of the school. We will annually notify all parents, teachers, and other employees by posting this notice. Additionally, information regarding any asbestos related activities; planned or in progress, will be disseminated by posting a notice or using hand out bulletins, flyers and/or using newspaper public notice statement.