FERPA

FERPA POLICY

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, is a federal law that pertains to the release of and access to student educational records. FERPA rights apply to Students and guardians of a dependent minor Student; a Student is a person who is, or has been, in attendance at Southern Texas Careers Academy, regardless of the person’s age. Under FERPA, a student has a right to:

• inspect and review his or her educational records

• request to amend his or her educational records

• have some control over the disclosure of information from his or her educational records

The directory information made available by STC Academy is:

• Name (maiden, other, preferred, primary)

• Address (all known)

• Telephone (all known)

• Course

• Dates of Attendance

• Certificates and Awards

FERPA also authorizes the disclosure of this information without the Student’s consent under certain circumstances. Directory information will be provided to the public upon request unless the student files a request with STC Academy asking to be excluded from the directory or from any other requests for open directory information from outside entities. A Student may update access to their information by contacting STC Academy Director and filing a request to be excluded from the directory or from any other requests for open directory information.

According to FERPA, some non-directory Student records may not be released without prior written consent from the Student. A record is any information recorded in any way, including but not limited to handwriting, print, and digital image. Educational records are all records that contain information that is directly related to a student and that are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting on its behalf. Educational records do not include the following:

• Sole possession records (those records kept in the sole possession of the maker which are used only as a personal memory aid and are not accessible or reviewed by any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record.

• Medical or psychological treatment records that include but are not limited to records maintained by physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists.

• Employment records, provided that employment is not contingent upon being a Student.

• Law enforcement records.

STC Academy will disclose information from a Student’s education record without the written consent of the Student to a staff members who require access to educational records in order to perform their legitimate educational duties; officials of other schools in which the student seeks or intends to enroll; and in connection with a Student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid; and state, federal, and accrediting agencies as required. Under FERPA, Students have a right to see, inspect and request changes to their educational records. Upon request, STC Academy shall provide a student access to his or her educational records except for financial records of the Student’s parents or guardian; and confidential letters of recommendation where the student has signed a waiver of right of access. Educational records covered by FERPA normally will be made available within ten (10) days of the request. All records are to be reviewed by Students in the presence of a staff member. The contents of a Student’s educational records may be challenged by the Student on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student by submitting a written statement to STC Academy. It is the policy of STC Academy that it will maintain the FERPA disclosure code in effect at the time of a Student’s last term of enrollment for former Students. Furthermore, STC Academy will honor a request from a former Student, not re-enrolled, to add or delete a non-disclosure request.FERPA rights cease upon death. However, it is the policy of STC Academy that no records of deceased students be released for a period of five (5) years after the date of the Student’s death unless specifically authorized by the executor of the deceased’s estate or by next of kin. If Students believe that their FERPA rights have been violated, they may contact the Family Policy Compliance Office at the Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC 2002-4605. Additional information is available at www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/

PARENT RIGHTS UNDER FERPA

At the post-secondary level, parents have no inherent right to access or inspect their son’s or daughter’s educational records, including final grades, grades on exams, and other information about academic progress. This information is protected under FERPA and parents do not have access to it unless the Student has provided express, written authorization, or unless the student is a dependent as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Students can give express written permission of access to their educational record by completing the Privacy Release Authorization Form and remitting it to STC Academy. In emergency or crisis situations, STC Academy may release non-directory information if the institution determines that the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the Student or other individuals.

HOUSING

STC Academy does not provide housing for attending students. However, if an applicant needs assistance in finding local housing, STC Academy will refer the applicant to an appropriate agency.

OSHA

The United States Department of Labor of Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires STC Academy to advise its Students of the chemicals used in cosmetology and related training. During Orientation, the Student will learn about the importance of safety in the workplace and how to use and follow the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used in cosmetology and/or related training.

During each unit of study, Students are apprised of the various chemicals used and safe practices that apply. In addition, a complete file containing Material Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals used at STC Academy is available in STC Academy Director's office.