News from 2022-2023

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA, is a federal law protecting student education records privacy. 

Albuquerque Public Schools recognizes the rights of parents and guardians to access their student's education records under FERPA. Students who are 18 and older or emancipated may also access their records.

The following is a summary of the FERPA Notice in the APS Handbook for Student Success 2022-2023. 

Record Rights 

Parents, guardians, and students who are 18 and older or emancipated have the right to: 

• inspect and review student education records
• request that a school correct records they believe to be inaccurate
• a formal hearing if a school decides not to change the record
• include a statement contesting a decision not to change the record 

Release of Records  

FERPA allows schools to disclose a student's information without consent to the following:

• School officials with a legitimate educational interest
• Other educational institutions where the student is enrolled or seeks to enroll
• Federal, state, or local education authorities
• Appropriate parties connected to financial aid for the student
• Certain state or local officials
• Accrediting organizations
• Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the school
• Judicial order or subpoena
• Appropriate officials in cases of health or safety emergencies

In addition, two federal laws require the district to provide student directory information to the military and higher education institutions unless families opt out. 

Third parties not exempted by FERPA must receive written permission to release student records. 

The APS Custodian of Records responds to records requests. Personally identifiable information is redacted from responses to third-party requests.

Student Directory Information

Directory information includes: 

• Student name
• Address
• Phone number
• School
• Grade
• Graduation year
• Eligibility and participation in officially recognized activities
• Height and weight of athletic team members
• Honors and awards 
• Yearbooks
• Identification in visual media, including photographs, videotapes, and visual images, depicting school programs or activities
• Student ID numbers (with some exceptions)

School and District Publications 

A primary purpose of directory information is to allow APS to include information in school and district publications such as: 

• A drama production's playbill 
• The yearbook
• Honor rolls 
• School and district websites and newsletters
• Graduation programs
•  Sports activity sheets, such as providing heights and weights for wrestlers

Directory information is available to anyone who asks for it. While APS doesn't limit its use, the district expects that all information be used ethically.

Opting Out

To prevent directory information from being shared, fill out the Student Directory Opt-Out Form.

Military, Higher Education Recruiters

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act requires the district to provide directory information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers of high school students to military and higher education recruiters. Fill out the Student Directory Opt-Out Form to keep from sharing directory information with the military or higher education institutions.

Unlawful Use of Directory Information

It is against the law to sell or use student directory information provided by APS to market goods or services directly to students or their families.