Privacy and Access To Records
"Parents of currently enrolled or former pupils have an absolute right if access to any and all pupil records related to their children which are maintained by school districts or private schools." (Family Rights and Privacy Act, 1974).
By definition, "parent" means a natural parent, an adoptive parent, or a legal guardian. Under federal regulations, "parent" includes a natural parent, a guardian, or an individual acting as a parent of the student in the absence of a natural parent or guardian. An educational agency or institution may presume that a parent has the right of access to pupil records unless it has received evidence that a state law or court order has indicated otherwise.
"Access" means a personal inspection and review of a record or an accurate copy of a record, receipt of an accurate copy of a record, and oral description or communication of a record, or an accurate copy of a record and request to release a copy of any record.
