When I first started addressing the school violence issue 15 years ago,
I sent away for free documentation regarding troubled students and
sharing information about concerns. I received many free copies of
Sharing Information: A Guide to the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act and Participation in Juvenile Justice Programs a program
report from the U.S. Department of Justice. I gave the information to
co-workers, board of education members, and distributed the books at
school violence workshops.
FERPA, the Federal Educational Rights and
Privacy Act is not new. But many people who work in our educational
system are not aware of it or misinterpret the purpose. FERPA is meant
to protect student records, but is not meant to protect or hide
information related to violent behavior.
