WAC 148-280-040   Disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records.  (1) The school shall not disclose information from education records (other than "directory information") without the written consent of the parent (or adult student) except that records may be disclosed without consent when disclosure is to:

     (a) School officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records;

     (b) Officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll. Pursuant to RCW 28A.225.330, records disclosed under this subsection will include disciplinary action, violent behavior or behavior listed in RCW 13.04.155, attendance, immunization records, and academic performance. The school shall provide the parent (or adult student), upon request, with a copy of the records disclosed and an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of the record;

     (c) Federal and state officials requiring access to education records in connection with the audit and evaluation of a federal or state-supported education program, or in connection with the enforcement of or compliance with federal or state legal requirements which relate to such programs;

     (d) Organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of the school, for purposes of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction: Provided, That the study is conducted in such a manner that does not permit the personal identification of parents and students by persons other than representatives of such organizations, and such information is destroyed when no longer needed for the purposes for which it was provided;

     (e) Accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions;

     (f) Any person or entity designated by judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena: Provided, That the school shall make a reasonable effort to notify the parent (or adult student) in advance of compliance, unless such notification and disclosure is specifically prohibited by an order of the court or other issuing agency or the order has been issued ex parte.

     (i) If the school initiates legal action against a parent or student, the school may disclose to the court, without a court order or subpoena, the education records of the student that are relevant and necessary for the school to proceed with the legal action.

     (ii) If a parent or student initiates legal action against the school, the school may disclose to the court, without a court order or subpoena, the student's education records that are relevant and necessary for the school's defense;

     (g) State and local officials or authorities if specifically required by state law adopted before November 19, 1974, or if reporting or disclosure concerns the juvenile justice system and the system's ability to effectively serve the student prior to adjudication;

     (h) Appropriate persons in connection with a health or safety emergency if knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or other individuals;

     (i) Teachers and school officials in other schools and school districts, and teachers, security personnel and other personnel at the Washington school for the deaf who have a legitimate educational interest in the behavior of the student when the information concerns disciplinary action taken against the student for behavior that posed a significant risk to safety or well-being of that student, other students, or other members of the school community, or a history of violent behavior or behaviors listed in RCW 13.04.155. "Disciplinary action" means the investigation, adjudication or imposition of sanctions by the school for an infraction or violation of the student conduct code.

     (2) Where the consent of a parent (or adult student) is obtained for the release of education records, it shall be in writing, signed and dated by the person giving such consent, and shall include:

     (a) A specification of the records to be released;

     (b) The reasons for such release; and

     (c) The names of the parties to whom such records will be released.

     (3) When a disclosure is made under subsection (2) of this section, if a parent (or adult student) so requests, the school shall provide him or her with a copy of the records disclosed.

     (4) Personally identifiable education records released to third parties, with or without parent (or adult student) consent, shall be accompanied by a written statement indicating that the information cannot be subsequently released in a personally identifiable form to any other party without the prior consent of the parent (or adult student).

     (5) "Directory information" may be disclosed without the parent's (or adult student's) prior written consent, unless the parent (or adult student) notifies the school in writing within ten days of enrollment and thereafter by the tenth day of the academic year that he or she does not want any or all of the student's information to be designated as directory information.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 72.40.011. 03-20-014, § 148-280-040, filed 9/22/03, effective 10/23/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 72.40.022 and 20 U.S.C. §§ 1232(g), 1412 (2)(D), 1414 (a)(1)(B) and 1417(c). 90-16-018, § 148-280-040, filed 7/19/90, effective 8/19/90.]