Department of Student Services staff will complete a transcript request in a timely manner. Generally, transcript requests can be completed within a 48-hour period.
Transcript requests may be made by telephone (828) 241-2459 or in person at the Catawba County Schools Student Services Office located at 403 6th Avenue, SW, Catawba, NC 28609. To complete a transcript request, the following information is necessary:
(1) Full name (first, middle, maiden, last)
(2) Birth date
(3) Social security number
(4) High school attended
(5) Year graduated - or would have graduated if student withdrew
(6) To whom the transcript is being sent/address
(7) Student’s address/telephone number
An official transcript will be mailed to an educational institution (for official purposes, faxing of the transcript is not permitted due to confidentiality requirements.)
For any requests other than an educational institution, the request must be made in person at the Student Services Office by completing the Request for Student Records Form. The transcript will not be released until the identity of the requestor is verified by means of a driver's license, birth certificate, or other identification deemed acceptable by the Executive Director of Student Services.
STUDENT RECORDS
ADOPTED JANUARY 29, 2002
Descriptor Term: Descriptor Code:
STUDENT RECORDS 4.8000
STATUTORY
Legal Reference: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g, h; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1411 et. seq.; G.S. 115C-47, -114, -402
STATE BOARD
None
LOCAL
All student records will be current and maintained with appropriate measures of security and confidentiality. The principal is responsible for ensuring that all legal requirements pertaining to the maintenance, review and release of records retained at the school are met.
Review, Release of Records to Parent/Guardian/Student
A parent, guardian or eligible student (one who is at least 18 years old or is married) will be allowed access to the student's records upon proper request. A formal review of a student's complete records will be conducted only in the presence of the principal or his or her designee.
A parent, guardian or eligible student has the right to challenge an item in the student record believed to be inaccurate or inappropriate. The principal will examine a formal challenge of a student record item and respond in writing to the person who challenges the item. Subsequent steps, if necessary, will follow the Student Grievance Procedures as provided in board policy 4.3500. The parent or guardian will have the right to place a written statement in the student’s record in the event the formal challenge does not result in a change and/or omission to the record.
Release of Records to Others
Student records will be promptly released when a student transfers to another school, a court order is issued or state educational agencies or authorized officials have a legitimate reason for reviewing the record. Written permission by a parent, guardian or eligible student is required for the release of a student's records for any other reason.
Directory information on students may be utilized by the school district, individual schools or organizations, after providing proper notice and the opportunity to object to the parent, guardian or eligible student. The board strongly discourages the release of directory information to outside organizations which have requested the information for their own purposes, including private, commercial or religious organizations. Decisions to provide directory information to outside organizations must be approved by the superintendent or his or her designee. If information is to be provided to such organizations, parents, guardians and eligible students should be notified of this potential use. The school district is not to discriminate between requests for directory information from organizations that are similar in purpose.
Records cannot be withheld from a valid request in order to collect fines assessed to the parent or student.
Students with recognized exceptionalities will be accorded all rights in regards to their records as provided by State and federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
Surveys, Evaluation
No student will be required, as a part of any applicable program, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
1. political affiliations;
2. mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or the student’s family;
3. sexual behavior and attitudes;
4. illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior;
5. critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
6. legally recognized privileged and comparable relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers; or
7. income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).