Student Records
State and federal law grant students and parent(s)/ guardian(s) certain rights, including the right to inspect, copy, and challenge school records.
These requests should be made in writing and sent to the building principal. A non-custodial parent has the right to request student records unless there is a specific court order to the contrary.
The information contained in school student records shall be kept current, accurate, clear and relevant. Parent(s)/ guardian(s) also have the right to challenge the contents of records by notifying the principal or records custodian in writing of an objection to information contained in the record. An informational conference will be scheduled to discuss the matter within 10 business days.
If the dispute is not resolved at this informal meeting, a formal hearing will be scheduled with an impartial hearing officer who shall be selected by the school district but who may not be employed in the attendance center in which the student is enrolled. Challenges are not allowed concerning (1) academic grades, or (2) references to expulsions or suspensions if the challenge is made at the time the student’s records are being forwarded to another school district. A parent may only challenge records on the basis of accuracy, relevance, or propriety.
The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing within a reasonable time, but no later than 10 business days after the informal conference unless the parties agree to an extension of time. The hearing officer shall issue a written decision within 10 school days after the conclusion of the hearing. The decision of the hearing officer may be appealed to the Regional Superintendent of Education within 20 school days after the decision is transmitted.
A final decision by the Regional Superintendent may be appealed to the circuit court of the county in which the school is located. Parents/guardians also have the right to insert a written statement of reasonable length into their child’s school student record describing their position on disputed information.
The district will include a copy of the statement in any release of the information in dispute.
Student records are divided into two categories
a. The student permanent record consists of basic identifying information, academic transcript, attendance record, health record, record of release of permanent information, and other basic information. The permanent record shall be kept for 60 years after graduation or permanent withdrawal.
b. The student temporary record consists of all information not required to be in the student permanent record including family background information, test scores, psychological evaluations, special education files, teacher anecdotal records, and disciplinary information. The temporary record will be destroyed entirely 5 years after graduation or permanent withdrawal.
The Illinois School Student Records Act requires that student records be reviewed periodically to eliminate or correct out-of-date, inaccurate, unnecessary, or irrelevant information.
Staff should send home all items not considered temporary or permanent records prior to the last day of a school year. If students do not attend school when these documents are distributed, this information will be housed in the school office for five days after the last day of school. If not picked up within that time period, these records will be destroyed.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the school office personnel.
Additionally, the district designates the following information as directory Information:
- Student name, address, gender, grade level, and birth date and place
- Parents’ names, mailing address, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers
- Academic awards and honors
- Information related to participation in school-sponsored activities, organizations, and athletics
- Period of attendance in the school
Directory information may be released to the general public, unless a parent requests that any or all of the above information not be released on their child. Please contact your building principal if you wish to designate that your child’s directory information not be released.
Please refer to Board Policy 7:340, Student Records, for additional information on student records
8th Grade Student Records
As part of our 8th graders’ transition to high school, the district works with Maine Township High School District 207 to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
To that end, District 207’s official records custodian has requested copies of all official student records of our 8th grade students, including academic information required to determine what courses each student should take as a freshman. The district will transfer all existing records and any records created during your student’s 8th grade year to District 207 beginning on September 15, each year, as well as communicate directly with District 207 staff regarding student information contained in your student’s records.
Parents have the right to inspect, copy, and/or challenge the contents of their student’s records prior to this release. If you do not plan to enroll your student in District 207 and/or wish to inspect, copy or challenge the records being transferred, please contact Dr. Ramona DeCristofaro, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, by September 1 at 847-824-1160.
Destruction of Student records
Temporary student records will be destroyed no earlier than 5 years after a student transfers, graduates, or otherwise withdraws.
Permanent student records will be destroyed no earlier than 60 years after a student transfers, graduates, or otherwise withdraws.