Reply #4: Been standard since the early 70's. [View All]

There was another thread on this a few days ago. Schools may, and sometimes must, disclose directory information about their students to any third party that requests it. This direcory information may include the student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance, but not their educational records such as grades or disciplinary actions.

Many school districts, colleges, and universities have policies in place to prevent Joe Blow from walking in off the street and requesting a list of all of their students, but anyone who can show the slightest legitimate reason to have the information, can usually get it. This information is often used legitimately by background check firms to verify a claimed educational background, award, or degree, but they also get used by recruiters, marketers, and credit card companies trying to sell them on something.

The parents, or the student him/herself simply has to request that they be removed from the list, and it will be done.

If you don't like the law, call your congresscritter and ask them to submit an amendment to the Family Educational Records and Privacy Act of 1974. This practice was specifically allowed when the law was drafted 30 years ago, but I have no idea why.