The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated minors (eligible students) certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes and certain physical exams.

These include the right to:
Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (protected information survey) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education -

(1) Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parents; (2) Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; (3) Sex behavior or attitudes; (4) Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; (5) Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; (6) Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; (7) Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents, or (8) Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of -
(1) Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding; (2) Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and (3) Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.

Inspect, upon request and before administration or use -
(1) Protected information surveys of students, (2) Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales or other distribution purposes; and (3) Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum. Parents or students who believe their rights under PPRA may have been violated may file a complaint with the Education Department by writing the Family Policy Compliance Office.

Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-8520