The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older (eligible students) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under 34 C.F.R. § 99.20.
3. The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that the Act and § 99.31 authorize disclosure without consent.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, under 34 C.F.R. §§ 99.63 and 99.64, concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
Northwest Georgia Charter Academy designates the following as directory information, which may be disclosed without prior written consent unless a parent or eligible student opts out: student name; grade level; honors and awards; activities; and participation in sports.
To opt out, submit a written request to Dr. Dawn Williams, Superintendent ([email protected]) within 15 school days of receipt of the annual FERPA notice.
Directory information is never released to candidates, campaigns, political action committees, political organizations, or anyone working on their behalf. Social security numbers, student ID numbers, and other sensitive identifiers are not directory information.
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, requires Northwest Georgia Charter Academy to notify you and obtain consent or allow you to opt your child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight protected areas: (1) political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; (2) mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; (3) sex behavior or attitudes; (4) illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; (5) critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; (6) legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; (7) religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or (8) income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.
PPRA also concerns marketing surveys and certain non-emergency, invasive physical examinations. Parents have the right to inspect, upon request, a survey or instrument used in the collection of information for any of these purposes before it is administered or distributed to a student.
Contact:
Dr. Dawn Williams, Civil Rights Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (706) 346-5688
Address: 232 Perry Farm Road, Cave Spring, GA 30124
Northwest Georgia Charter Academy is committed to protecting the privacy and security of student data in compliance with FERPA and Georgia’s student data privacy and transparency requirements. Student data is collected and used only for educational purposes and is never sold or shared for marketing or commercial gain. Parents have the right to inspect their child’s education records, request corrections, and receive notice of their rights. A list of student data elements collected statewide is maintained by the Georgia Department of Education. In the event of a data breach, the school will notify affected families consistent with state and federal requirements.
