| FOR RELEASE: October 11, 2002 |
Contact: Jim Bradshaw, Education Department, (202) 401-1576 Maj. Stewart Upton Defense Department, (703) 697-5133 |
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The U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense today reminded high schools about student information disclosure requirements in recent legislation designed to help recruiters share information about potential military opportunities available to young Americans.
In a dear colleague letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the two cabinet officers pointed out that Congress has passed legislation that requires high schools to provide military recruiters upon request the names, addresses and phone numbers of juniors and seniors.
"The support of our nation's educational institutions on behalf of the U.S. Armed Forces is critical to the success of the All-Volunteer Force," Paige and Rumsfeld wrote. "It can be, and should be, a partnership that benefits everyone. As veterans, and as Cabinet Members serving the President, we can attest to the excellent educational opportunities the military afforded, as well as an environment that encourages the development of strong character and leadership skills."
The new requirements are contained in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002. Both laws override any previous restrictions found in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act about disclosing student information to military recruiters.
Schools must notify parents at the beginning of the school year of their intention to designate certain "directory information" about students, including names, addresses and phone numbers.
Parents may "opt out," or object, to the information being released to recruiters without their prior written consent.
While both departments expect compliance with the disclosure requirements, the laws do include penalties for districts that fail to meet their responsibilities. Among those is a potential loss of Education Department funding.
Accompanying the dear colleague letter from Paige and Rumsfeld was guidance for schools and the military on implementing the new laws, as well as a model "directory information" notice that may be adopted by schools.
The new disclosure requirements took effect in July.
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