Your Filing Cabinet Is a Liability
That stack of ABC data sheets from three years ago? It is either a legally required record or a privacy risk that should have been destroyed.
FERPA Basics for Behavior Data
What FERPA Requires
- Right to access: Parents can inspect and review all education records
- Right to request amendments: Parents can challenge record accuracy
- Consent for disclosure: Records cannot be shared without consent
Official Records vs. Working Documents
Official Education Records
- Finalized FBAs and BIPs
- IEP documents with behavior goals
- Formal disciplinary records
Must be retained per district policy
Working Documents
- Daily data collection sheets
- Draft FBA observations
- Personal anecdotal notes
May be destroyed when no longer needed
Protect Students, Protect Yourself
Good data management is not bureaucracy - it is student protection. Take time this year to establish systems that serve both goals.
References
Ruble, L. A., McGrew, J. H., Wong, W. H., & Missall, K. N. (2018). Special education teachers' perceptions and intentions toward data collection. Journal of Early Intervention, 40(2), 177–191. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053815118771391
Kearns, D. M., Feinberg, N. J., & Anderson, L. J. (2021). Implementation of data-based decision-making: Linking research from the special series to practice. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 54(5), 365–372. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194211032403
U.S. Department of Education, Privacy Technical Assistance Center. (2015). Data governance checklist. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/data-governance-checklist
U.S. Department of Education. (2021). FERPA general guidance for parents and eligible students. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/
Blue-Banning, M., Summers, J. A., Frankland, H. C., Lord Nelson, L., & Beegle, G. (2004). Dimensions of family and professional partnerships: Constructive guidelines for collaboration. Exceptional Children, 70(2), 167–184. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290407000203
Sheridan, S. M., Smith, T. E., Kim, E. M., Beretvas, S. N., & Park, S. (2019). A meta-analysis of family-school interventions and children’s social-emotional functioning: Moderators and components of efficacy. Review of Educational Research, 89(2), 296–332. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654318825437
Lei, H., Cui, Y., & Chiu, M. M. (2016). Affective teacher-student relationships and students’ externalizing behavior problems: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1311. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01311
Take Action
Put what you've learned into practice with these resources.
Key Takeaways
- Understand FERPA requirements for behavior data retention and access
- Distinguish between official records and working documents
- Create organized digital and physical archives for required documentation
- Implement secure data destruction practices for eligible records
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About the Author
Dr. Sarah Mitchell consists of former Special Education Teachers and BCBAs who are passionate about leveraging technology to reduce teacher burnout and improve student outcomes.
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