Special Education

Notification of Rights under FERPA

July 31, 2007

Notification of Rights under FERPA

July 28, 2007

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Under the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents of students and eligible students (those who are 18 or older) are afforded various rights with regard to educational records which are kept and maintained by USD 409. In accordance with FERPA, you are required to be notified of those rights which include:

(1) The right to review and inspect all of your educational records except those which are specifically exempt. Records will be available within 45 days of the day the district receives a request for access.

(2) The right to prevent disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in your educational records to other persons with certain limited exceptions. Disclosure of information from your educational records to others persons will occur only if:

a. we have your prior written consent disclosure;

b. the information is considered "directory information" and you have not objected to the release of such information; or

c. disclosure without prior consent is permitted by law. Including:

1. The district may disclose, without your consent, personally identifiable information to school officials with a legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); the school board (in executive session); a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

2. The district shall disclose, without your consent, education records to officials of another school district in which a student seeks to enroll or intends to enroll. The institution will forward without further notice student records to officials of other schools or school systems in which the student intends to enroll.

(3) The rights to request that your educational records be amended if you believe the records are misleading, inaccurate, or otherwise in violation of your rights. This right includes the right to request a hearing at which you may present evidence to show why the record should be changed if your request for an amendment to your records is denied in the first instance.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the Family Policy and Regulations Office at the U.S. Department of Education if you believe that USD 409 has failed to comply with FERPA's requirements. The address of this office is 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 4074, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

(5) The right to obtain a copy of USD 409 policies for complying with FERPA. A copy may be obtained from USD 409 Board of Education, 626 Commercial Street, Atchison, KS 66002.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION NOTICE

For purpose of FERPA, USD 409 has designated certain information contained in educational records as directory information which may be disclosed for any purpose without your consent. This information would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion if disclosed. The following information is considered directory information: name, address, telephone number, electronic mail address, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic team, dates of attendance, degrees, honors and awards received, the most recent previous school attended by the student, class designation or grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time), major field of study and photographs.

You have a right to refuse to permit the designation of any or all of the above information as directory information. If you refuse, you must file written notification to this effect with USD 409 at Special Services Department, 626 Commercial Street, Atchison, KS 66002 on or before August 25, of each year. If a refusal is not filed, USD 409 assumes you have no objection to the release of the directory information designated.

Special Services

Special education services are provided to all students with exceptionalities ages three through twenty-one. The services provided are determined by individual need to assist each student in meeting their educational goals and realizing their educational potential. USD 409 provides all of these services within our school district boundaries in the least restrictive environment. Our special education classrooms are up to date with computer technology, assistive technology and augmentative communication systems to meet the varied needs of our students. The special education department utilizes the web-based KIDDS individualized education program. All of the special education staff are highly qualified and dedicated to meet the needs of each student. 95% of the staff have a Master’s Degree or are working on an advanced degree. The student to staff ratio is favorable with paraeducators assisting in many classrooms. These services are available for any qualifying student who resides in USD 409 boundaries, regardless of the school they attend. Students with exceptionalities from Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison Catholic Elementary Schools, Trinity Lutheran, and Atchison Juvenile Correctional Facility are all provided special education services by USD 409. Our Board of Education and Administration are committed to providing the resources and support necessary for our teachers to ensure that excellent special education services are available to the students in our community.