From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: Is school-related statistical information relating to school violence and drug use a matter of public record?

A: Yes. Under Pennsylvania's Safe Schools Act, schools must collect and make available to the public certain statistical information regarding acts of violence, weapons or drugs or alcohol on school property. The information that must be released includes the age/grade of the student involved, the name and address of the school and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents the nonconsensual disclosure of identifiable information in student education records; it does not prevent the disclosure of statistical information.

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