Student Accommodation Plans
Saint Mary Star of the Sea School is committed to supporting the individual learning needs of every student. When a student is placed on a Student Accommodation Plan (SAP), this is noted on the student’s report card. All accommodations are outlined in the Student Accommodation Plan, which is signed by the parents, student, administrator, and teachers. These accommodations are designed to help each learner experience academic success while continuing to work toward grade-level expectations.
FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Education records include any files, documents, or information directly related to a student that are maintained by a school or by a party acting on behalf of the school.
FERPA grants parents certain rights regarding their child’s educational records. These rights transfer to the eligible student when they reach 18 years of age or enroll in a post-secondary institution. Under FERPA, parents and eligible students have the right to:
- Inspect and review the student’s education records
- Request corrections if records are believed to be inaccurate or misleading
- Request a hearing if the school chooses not to amend the record
- Add a statement to the record if the school denies the request for amendment.
In general, schools must obtain written consent from a parent or eligible student before releasing information from education records. However, FERPA does allow certain disclosures without prior consent under specific, legally defined circumstances.
For additional information, visit the Virginia Department of Education’s student records page: Parent Resources
