A community-based psychologist contacts a middle school student's special education teacher and requests access to the student's school records. Which of the following steps should the teacher take before granting access to these records?

A community-based psychologist contacts a middle school student's special education teacher and requests access to the student's school records. Which of the following steps should the teacher take before granting access to these records?

• A. obtain written permission from the student's parents
• B. notify the special education director of the request
• C. arrange for the school psychologist to meet with the student's psychologist to review the records
• D. photocopy the records and remove any identifying information from the photocopies

Answer: (A)

Access to a student’s records from someone outside the school requires parental consent. The teacher should obtain written permission from the student’s parents before sharing any records with the community-based psychologist. This written consent protects the student’s privacy and ensures the disclosure complies with FERPA and school policy. The consent should specify what records will be released, to whom, and for what purpose, and the school should keep a record of the consent and release only the information needed for that purpose. Simply notifying a district official, arranging an internal meeting, or photocopying with identifiers removed does not authorize disclosure. Without written parental consent, sharing records would be inappropriate and potentially unlawful.

Access to a student’s records from someone outside the school requires parental consent. The teacher should obtain written permission from the student’s parents before sharing any records with the community-based psychologist. This written consent protects the student’s privacy and ensures the disclosure complies with FERPA and school policy. The consent should specify what records will be released, to whom, and for what purpose, and the school should keep a record of the consent and release only the information needed for that purpose.

Simply notifying a district official, arranging an internal meeting, or photocopying with identifiers removed does not authorize disclosure. Without written parental consent, sharing records would be inappropriate and potentially unlawful.