Hodges Loizzi partner Michelle Todd and associate Kaitlin Atlas outline important considerations for school professionals concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and access to students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEP) in an article with Special Ed Connection.
The article, “3 tiers of access: Be clear on who may access what in student information,” categorizes access to a student’s IEP in the following ways:
- Full access to the student’s IEP
- Limited access to IEP information
- Information provided only as needed
Michelle and Kaitlin summarized what information should be shared with respect to teachers, paraprofessionals, and additional parties interested in accessing a student’s IEP.
“We do not recommend providing full, unfettered access to students’ IEPs or the district’s IEP management software to all teaching staff,” Kaitlin explained. “Remember, pursuant to FERPA, the staff member must have a legitimate educational interest in accessing the student record information, including a student’s IEP.”
For more information, the article can be found here.
Michelle is a member of the firm’s Management Committee, concentrating her practice in the areas of special education and student matters. Throughout her career, Michelle has gained extensive experience working with clients on IDEA and Section 504 disputes.
Kaitlin focuses her practice on matters relating to students and special education. She has experience representing clients in a variety of matters related to students protected by disability laws including determining eligibility, disciplinary procedures, and interim alternative placements.
