How Do You Get Your Kids School Records Released?

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/

Blog: http://edlaw4students.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/michelleaball

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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.