Here is
a sample letter a parent might use in requesting transfer of their child's/children's'
school records from their original school to the new homeschool/private
school. This is sample text only. You are encouraged to use your
own words when writing your local public school and school officials
to request records transfers. Just remember, the simpler and most direct,
the better.
COMMENTS:
Date:
Sun, 3 Aug 2003
From: Rebecca Peterson, IHEN Web
Project Volunteer
One thing
people need to be aware of is the fact that schools a lot of times will
not send (or give) copies of records to an address that is not on official
school letter head. People need to know their child's records are the
property of the parents and they might have to raise a stink to get
copies. This is a problem which has happened A LOT in Hamilton County.
[While
this may be happening a lot in districts where the Superintendants believe
they are defacto guardians of YOUR children, it is not as wide spread
a practice as it appears. And it is more rare, when the parent fully
knows his or her rights in the matter, and states her case matter-of-factly.
There is simply no legal reason that a school can or should withhold
access to your child's school records. Whether still attending,
leaving, or transferring to another school, including a homeschool,
parents have a right to see the state files on his or her child. -ed]
MORE
READING:
Federal
and State laws require officials to provide access to their child's
school records. Here are three websites for more information and clarification:
Indiana
Commission on Public Records Records Management - Care of Indiana Public
School Records page: http://www.in.gov/icpr/records_management/pubs/schlrec2.html#a2aa
Specific
Indiana Code Citation Parental Acces to Educational Records: http://www.ai.org/legislative/ic/code/title20/ar10.1/ch22.4.html
Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Information: http://ideanet.doe.state.in.us/exceptional/speced/topics/ferp/ferpa.html
If you
are having problems with receiving your child's school records, and
need specific help with the Indiana State Code, write to The
Homeschool Liasan at the Indiana DOE for help. And as always you
can subscribe
to the IndianaHomeschoolers E-list for Hoosier Homeschoolers. Lots
of good advice and support can be had there. We've been Helping Hoosiers
Homeschool since the turn of the century.
[DATE]
[OLD SCHOOL NAME]
Address
City, State, Zip
RE: NOTIFICATION
OF TRANSFER
We, Mr. & Mrs. [YOUR
NAME], parents of [YOUR CHILD'S NAME], hereby notify [OLD SCHOOL NAME],
of the transfer of [YOUR CHILD'S NAME] from [OLD SCHOOL NAME].
[CHILD'S NAME] will
no longer be the responsibility of the [SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME] school
district, as [S/HE] will be educated privately.
We are requesting
a copy of [HIS/HER] records be sent to the address below.
[YOUR SCHOOL NAME]
Address
City, State Zip
Thank you for your
prompt attention in this matter.
[Signature of Parent
or Guardian]
[Date]
