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You are here: Fairfax County Public Schools > Publications > Opt Out Booklet > Grades 9-12 Directory Opt-Out
Federal law permits the disclosure of “directory information” from a student’s record without the parent’s prior written consent—unless the parent has opted out of such disclosure. Directory information is routine information that is generally not considered harmful to disclose. (Note: School yearbook photos are included in this category.) Consequently, unless you have opted out, this kind of information may be included in school publications and disclosed to outside organizations. FCPS defines “directory information” as including (but not limited to):
• Name, including nickname.
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports.
• Height and weight, if a member of an athletic team.
• Birthdate.
• Attendance record.
• Awards and honors.
• School and grade.
• Photographs and other images.
• Name of parent or guardian or individual with whom student lives.
• Student gender, primary or home language (for limited purposes only–see below).
• Address and phone number (for limited purposes only–see below).
Public disclosure of directory information may be made in various ways. The following are examples of FCPS publications that frequently are made available to the public:
• School yearbooks (photos).
• Team rosters and class lists.
• Graduation, theater, athletic, and music programs.
• Videos of performances, school activities, and athletic events.
• Articles about school activities and athletic events.
• Lists of those receiving honors, awards, and scholarships.
Types of Directory Information
Directory information may be available to the general public (including the press) unless you complete the opt-out form (pdf). If you want your child to be in the yearbook and other school-related publications available to the public, do not sign any opt-out form. If you want to limit the information released about your child, sign the opt-out form and check the information you want to withhold.
Opt-Out Options (Comprehensive and Limited)
Withhold all directory information about your child. This means your child will be completely excluded from all school publications available to the public, including school yearbooks, award lists, photographs, video productions, and student directories. It also means that directory information about your child will not be released to school-related organizations, such as PTAs, or to state and county agencies unless specifically permitted by federal or state law.
As a general policy, FCPS does not release student addresses, phone numbers, parent information , or demographic information (such as primary language, or gender) to the press or the general public, even though it is directory information. FCPS does provide limited directory information to school-related organizations, such as PTAs, and to state and county agencies to help provide services. If you do NOT want directory information released to these entities, select one or more of the options below.
Choice A. Omit your child from school directories. FCPS will not provide student addresses and phone numbers to the press or the general public. Unless you opt out, however, it does provide that information to PTAs and other school-related organizations, which may use that information to publish student directories and may contact your family about school-related activities. Check Choice A if you want your child to be included in all school publications except student address and telephone directories.
Choice B. FCPS also provides directory information, such as student address and phone; parent or guardian name, address, and phone number; and demographic information to state and county agencies if FCPS determines that such information will help provide services to students or the school community. Check choice B if you do not want state and county agencies to receive this type of directory information about your child, but you do want your child included in school publications.
Choice C. Omit your child from photographic productions and other types of FCPS-sponsored publicity and media coverage. FCPS produces and participates in television, videotape, motion picture, audio recordings, and still photograph productions that may use your child’s name, likeness, or voice. Such productions may be sold or used for educational purposes and may be copyrighted, edited, and distributed by FCPS. Also, news media cover Fairfax County schools and sometimes photograph, videotape, or broadcast likenesses of students during school hours. Check choice C if you do not want your child’s image, name, or voice featured in such productions.
Maintenance and Retention of Education Records
Education records are maintained in accordance with retention schedules established by Policy 6470.1 and the FCPS Records Management Manual. FCPS destroys the records of each student with disabilities who has been enrolled in a special education program five years after the student leaves school, graduates, or reaches age 22, whichever comes first. Parents should be aware that information from the record could be needed by the student or the parents for Social Security or other benefits. Education records are released without parental consent only in accordance with the provisions of FERPA, Policy 2701.4, and Regulation 2701.3P. The FCPS Management of Student Records Manual and Regulation 2601.19 (Student Responsibilities and Rights [SR&R] Handbook) provide more detail about student record policies. Parents with questions should contact the FCPS Guidance and Career Services Section, 571-423-4400.
Last update:
August 3, 2006
Curator: Andy Grunig, Andy.Grunig@fcps.edu