Student Privacy: Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

The federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) gives parents and eligible students certain rights related to student surveys, instructional materials, certain physical examinations and screenings, and the collection and use of personal information for marketing purposes.

Surveys About Protected Information

Parents have the right to provide consent before a student is required to participate in a survey funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education that asks about one or more of the following protected areas:

• Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student's parent.
• Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family.
• Sex behavior or attitudes.
• Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
• Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student has close family relationships.
• Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as those with lawyers, doctors, or ministers.
• Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student's parent.
• Income, other than as required by law to determine eligibility for a program.

Right to Receive Notice and Opt Out

Parents have the right to receive notice and an opportunity to opt their student out of:

• A survey containing one or more of the protected areas listed above when the survey is not funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education.
• A nonemergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by Special School District (SSD) or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student. This does not include hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or examinations or screenings permitted or required by state law.
• An activity involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing, selling, or otherwise distributing the information to others.

Right to Inspect Materials

Upon request and before administration or use, parents have the right to inspect:

• Surveys that ask students about one or more of the protected areas listed above.
• Instruments used to collect personal information from students for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes.
• Instructional materials used as part of the educational curriculum.

District Notification

The District will notify parents of these policies at least annually at the beginning of each school year and after any substantive changes. The District will also directly notify parents when students are scheduled to participate in activities covered by PPRA and will provide parents with an opportunity to opt their student out when required. These activities include:

• The collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution.
• The administration of a protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education.
• A nonemergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

When the District knows the specific or approximate dates of these activities at the beginning of the school year, parents will be notified at that time. For activities scheduled later in the school year, the District will provide reasonable notice and an opportunity to opt out. Parents will also have an opportunity to review applicable surveys.

Students Age 18 or Older and Emancipated Minors

PPRA rights transfer from the parent to the student when the student turns 18 or becomes an emancipated minor under applicable state law.

Filing a Complaint

Parents or eligible students who believe their rights under PPRA have been violated may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202.

Additional information about PPRA and the complaint process is available through the U.S. 
Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office website.