I’m helping with a 4th grader’s education on a daily basis—things like school attendance, homework, and parent-teacher conferences. The mom is moving back soon, but for now, she’s given me permission to be the main contact for school matters. However, the school says she’d need to transfer her full educational rights to me to let me stay involved. Is this really necessary? Can’t she just authorize me without signing over everything?
I’ve been in a similar situation! The parent should be able to give permission without handing over full rights. Schools sometimes over-complicate things.
Sam said:
I’ve been in a similar situation! The parent should be able to give permission without handing over full rights. Schools sometimes over-complicate things.
That’s what I thought too! We’ve already provided verbal and email consent, but they’re still insisting on formal paperwork.
Sam said:
I’ve been in a similar situation! The parent should be able to give permission without handing over full rights. Schools sometimes over-complicate things.
Maybe they just want something in writing, but they shouldn’t need full guardianship. A simple authorization letter should be enough.
Schools are bound by FERPA, so they usually need formal authorization to discuss anything. But transferring full rights sounds like overkill.
JessicaMonrovic said:
Schools are bound by FERPA, so they usually need formal authorization to discuss anything. But transferring full rights sounds like overkill.
Exactly! They mentioned FERPA, but I thought that only required parent consent, not full rights.
JessicaMonrovic said:
Schools are bound by FERPA, so they usually need formal authorization to discuss anything. But transferring full rights sounds like overkill.
Yep, under FERPA, a parent can give access to someone else, but it doesn’t require transferring everything over.
If the school is really pushing for this, it could be worth consulting an education lawyer. They can help clarify what’s actually necessary.
Emery said:
If the school is really pushing for this, it could be worth consulting an education lawyer. They can help clarify what’s actually necessary.
That’s a good idea. I didn’t think of getting legal advice for something like this, but it might be worth it.
Emery said:
If the school is really pushing for this, it could be worth consulting an education lawyer. They can help clarify what’s actually necessary.
An attorney might even be able to draft a simpler authorization that the school will accept.
Can the mom come in and sign a temporary authorization? That way, she doesn’t have to give up full rights, just access for you to help.
Bao said:
Can the mom come in and sign a temporary authorization? That way, she doesn’t have to give up full rights, just access for you to help.
That could work! She’s planning to move back soon, so something temporary would be ideal.
Bao said:
Can the mom come in and sign a temporary authorization? That way, she doesn’t have to give up full rights, just access for you to help.
Sounds like that could be a good solution! Schools can sometimes be flexible with a temporary arrangement.
I’ve dealt with something similar. A notarized letter should be enough if she doesn’t want to transfer full rights.
River said:
I’ve dealt with something similar. A notarized letter should be enough if she doesn’t want to transfer full rights.
Thank you! I’ll suggest that to her and see if the school will accept it.
River said:
I’ve dealt with something similar. A notarized letter should be enough if she doesn’t want to transfer full rights.
Yeah, notarized letters can go a long way. Hopefully, it’ll satisfy the school’s requirements.