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Rhea v. District Board of Trustees of Santa Fe College A student…
Rhea v. District Board of Trustees of Santa Fe College
A student filed a complaint against a teacher and sought protection under FERPA. The identity of the students who submitted complaints about teachers to public schools, including colleges are public records and must be disclosed to citizens according to a ruling by the Florida Appellate Court for the First District. The court held that Santa Fe College must release the name of the student who sent an e-mail complaining about a former mathematics instructor Darnell Rhea’s classroom performance.
Falvo v. Owasso Independent School District
Discussion: This case involved a challenge by a parent who brought suit against a school district for a grading practice she alleged created severe embarrassment for her children. Some teachers in the district allowed students to grade each others work assignments and tests and call out their own grades to the teacher. Falvo was informed that her children had the option of confidentially reporting their grades to the teacher rather than calling them out in class. The district court dismissed the suit. On appeal, the circuit court recognized the existence of a Fourteenth Amendment right to prevent disclosure of certain types of information. However, school work did not rise to that level. With respect to FERPA, the court of appeals found that grading practices did violate FERPA guidelines. The courts ruled on behalf of the parent because the practice of allowing students to grade papers is not prudent. Teachers have as a part of their professional responsibility the duty to grade student papers. At best, this practice is questionable and may be a source of embarrassment to students. Any practice involving disclosures of student grades to authorized individuals violates FERPA and should not be authorized by school districts.
Ellis v. Cleveland Municipal School District
Discussion: This case arose regarding disclosure of records involving the use of corporal punishment by a substitute teacher. The punished student sought discovery of incident reports, student and employee witnesses and information regarding subsequent discipline of the substitute teacher. The school district objected to the request on the grounds that the documents were protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The court held for the student.
Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California
Discussion: Confidentiality between school counselors and students is not absolute as illustrated by a leading case involving the University of California. A student confided to his psychologist during a therapy session that he was going to kill another student. Tarasoff was subsequently killed by the student. Her parents filed suit claiming that the psychologist had a duty to inform campus police and to warn their daughter and them of impending danger. The California Supreme Court agreed. The court further held that the psychologist became sufficiently involved to assume some responsibility for the safety not only of the patient but also of any person whom the psychologist knew to be threatened by the patient.
For your assignment review several case studies that pose problems between school personnel and families/students. Once you have read the four case studies- choose one that you will research and become knowledgeable on. In your write up you will discuss the following four points of emphasis from the case study:
What is the background of the case?
Identify and state the important points that should be noted from the case?
Explain the ruling in the case?
Reflect on whether you agree/disagree with the decision of the court using evidence from course materials and your textbook?
