Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Schools that receive federal funding are required by law to keep student information private. FERPA allows parents and legal guardians access to their own child's school information with regard their student’s health, attendance, academics and discipline.

Occasionally, issues arise around discipline, when parents may want information about another student. FERPA does not allow this information to be shared without the full consent of involved parties. Atkinson is limited by this law as to what can be shared with other individuals or parents in the school community.

A school’s responsibility is to protect and maintain privacy of all students, regardless of the situation. In cases that involve what could be deemed as a weapon, parents and guardians often desire to know more, especially if it may impact their child. School administrators are bound by FERPA to maintain student privacy and would be limited in what, if anything, could be shared publicly.

Atkinson Elementary School aims to protect all students with regard to safety and to maintain the privacy of student records. A school community must have trust in their school administration’s ability to manage situations appropriately, while accepting the limited information that is permissible by law.