INFORMATIONAL

  The Board of Education promulgated a new regulation
  regarding the management of student education records in
  1995.  That regulation requires that school divisions comply
  with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.  A copy of
  the Act was provided in the appendices of the Guidelines for
  the Management of the Student's Scholastic Record in
  Virginia Public Schools, September 1995.

  On November 21, 1996, the United States Department of
  Education published amendments to the Act.  These amendments
  became effective on December 23, 1996.  Among the changes to
  the Act, these amendments remove the requirement that school
  divisions have a written policy regarding student records,
  but add components to the annual notice requirement.  Please
  see the attached copy of the amendments for additional
  information.

  Please add these amendments to the appendices to the
  guidelines your division has already received and ensure
  that staff responsible for student records in your division
  receive a copy of this memo and its attachments.  If
  additional information is needed, please contact Michelle
  Hathcock, Division for Compliance,  (804) 225-2339.


  RTL:mjh

  Attachments: A hard copy of the memo and its attachments
               will be sent to the superintendent's office.