Each Parent Has Full & Equal Access to His or Her Child’s School Records.

I’ve heard a lot of mis-information from parents about whether they can access their child’s school records.  Parents have heard that only the parent with “primary custody” can have access to school records.  Or, parents believe that they can only get access to their kid’s records if they are educational decision-maker.  Both of those are incorrect.

Parents Have Full & Equal Access to School Records

Access to school records is governed by West Virginia Code Section 48-9-601.  It says , at (a)(1) “Each parent has full and equal access to a child’s educational records absent a court order to the contrary.  Neither parent may veto the access requested by the other parent.”  This means that unless there is a specific statement in your temporary or final order that says you cannot get access to school records, you are entitled to full access to those records.

No matter what amount of time you have with your children, you have the opportunity to be a part of your child’s education.  Full and equal access means you should get any notices the school sends out.  You should be able to get the teacher’s email updates.  And you should be able to access your child’s records on line, if the school has that in place.  So, no excuse–go sign up for all of that, and if the school objects, talk to your attorney.

Participation at School 

The statute goes further.  It also allows each parent to “participate as a member of a parent advisory committee or any other organization comprised of parents of children at the school the child attends.”  That includes PTA and athletic boosters.  Each parent also has the right to attend parent-teacher conferences, and if necessary, you can have a separate conference from the other parent.

West Virginia law supports both parents being part of their kids education, unless the court has specifically said “No.”  If you have been standing on the sidelines, because you weren’t sure of what is allowed, now you know.

If you have trouble with access, please contact your attorney.  If you don’t have an attorney, use the contact form, and let’s see if i can help.

 

2018-02-14T16:12:12+00:00 By |Divorce, Family|

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