Schools generate quite a bit of information about each student throughout the course of his or her time in public education, including academic performance records, notes from teachers and counselors, and even sensitive medical information. Federal law protects much of this information and considers it confidential, available only to the respective student and his or her parents (if still a minor).
In addition, some states have their own privacy protections and statutory guidelines for handling students' information. The concern is that a student's information could be used for identity theft, blackmail, or other types of fraud, not to mention general breaches of privacy.
Privacy of School Records in Nebraska: Overview
The state of Nebraska does not address school records specifically, but has a general law prohibiting the disclosure of public records in the absence of a court proceeding. Violation of privacy can lead to removal or impeachment of the offender and a possible Class III misdemeanor charge.
Additional details are listed below.
| Code Section | 84-712.05, et seq. |
| Who Has Access to School Records? | Records withheld from public unless disclosed in court or administrative proceeding or for routine directory information. |
| Penalty for Violation of School Record Privacy Laws | Violation by official: subject to removal or impeachment and Class III misdemeanor |
| How to File a Complaint with the Federal Government | To file a complaint about school record privacy violations, contact the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO) at 1-8000-872-5327 or: FPCO Department of Education 400 Maryland Ave SW Washington, DC 20202-5920 |
Note: State laws are not carved in stone and may change at any time, most often through the enactment of newly signed legislation but also through higher court decisions and other means. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of these pages, you may also want to contact a Nebraska education law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Federal Protection of School Records
FERPA prohibits schools from disclosing personally identifiable educational records without the parent's written permission, including files, documents, health records, or other materials pertaining to a student and maintained by the school. PPRA places certain restrictions on the participation by students in surveys, evaluations, or other potential disclosure of sensitive information.
Research the Law
Nebraska Privacy of School Records Law: Related Resources
