Utah Special Education Paraeducator Handbook - Granite School ...

the cabinet and review a student’s file, you must sign the paper with your name, job title, the date, and
your purpose for looking at the file.
If you have permission to review a student’s education records, you may only look at that individual’s
record – and NOT any of the other files in the cabinet. Look only at the pieces of information that you
are authorized to see.
What can happen when confidentiality is violated?
Students and families can be hurt. Trust will be lost. Employees can lose jobs. The school districts can be
sued and you could be named in the lawsuit.
What can you do to preserve a student’s confidentiality?
First and most important respect the student and the family’s right to privacy. You do not share
information with anyone who does not have a legitimate right to know. You don’t share information
with outside agencies without written parental consent. Special education records should be kept in a
locked cabinet and anyone who reads them must sign an access log.
You (the paraeducator) should learn to “listen to” questions from others who request confidential
information, then refer them to the IEP teacher.
No matter how concerned you are about a situation,
you may not call parents or the local newspaper to
resolve the problem.
Go through your supervisor and exhaust all remedies
before you go to the next level of administration.
Utah Paraeducator Handbook Page 23