Posted by truelight (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Terry, Do you want the school system to break state law? Records are confidential information. It appears that the situation can only be resolved by both parents not the school. However, you should be commended for caring about your child's education.

Posted by oldlady50 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Lewis---Not knowing what is going on between you and the x. But as far as learning WHAT your child is doing is not that Hard. You simply ask the child. Email and text messages are very HIGH on a teenagers list of things they do everyday. And the kids all have acess to computers at school and the library. If you have a good relationship with your child they will find a WAY to let you know HOW they are doing..IF NOT ask some of their friends. TEENAGERS never tell their parents WHAT they do all the time. IF they did --they wouldn't be a normal teenager..

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Spoken like a true bureaucrat,truelight.

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And what about federal law,truelight?FERPA--the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act-- gives rights to parents to have access to the children's records.Is it alright for you all to take federal monies--which it's reasonable to say you're doing-- and ignore federal laws?If you're going to be a bureaucrat best to uphold ALL the laws and not pick and choose.

Posted by nowhining (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Lewis, have you gone to the Board of Education?? Ask a lawyer, maybe he/she can interpret the law for you. I thought if you are a "parent", you should have access to your child's grades, unless you have in some way lost parental rights thru the divorce. Please, Mr. Lewis, follow this up further and report back, as to help other's in your shoes. Good Luck.

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Lewis --

Because Selma High School and the Selma City Schools receive federal Title I funds they are subject to the laws under the Family Education Rights and Protection Act (FERPA). Part of the text of this act relates to student privacy with regard to records, grades, etc. As you are a non-custodial parent, you have limited rights under FERPA, to view your biological daughter's grades. If they were to allow that, unchecked, they risk losing their funding (which I believe makes up a considerable portion of City Schools operating monies). If you at any time gave up parental rights, or are otherwise prevented via court order, you may not have the right to view your daughters information.

I suggest that next time before you start pointing fingers towards others, you start looking at the three pointing towards you. What have you done in your life to have your ex shut you out of your child's life? 9/10 times there is a deadbeat dad in the equation. That's why SHE has custody and you don't. Also, why taking an interest now? What is so significant about this year that you felt necessary to neglect your child for the first 13-14 years, but had the minerals to step up this year in particular and play dad? I know if all of a sudden my "dad"(or sperm donor in this case), popped up and wanted to know about my grades, but hadn't done a single thing to help my mom and I out, I would be less than thrilled.

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Seems like you're taking this personally,archangelk.How do you know this father doesn't pay child support,or has had tried to be a part of his child's life.Perhaps you should get all the facts before you spout vitriol.

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI,archangesk.FERPA is a federal law that gives parents the right to have access to their children's education records,the right to seek to have the records anmmended,and the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from the records.Either you're someone that knows the mother in question or an apolgist for the bureaucracy,either way you don't know the law.
For your peruse if you care to check it out: www.ed.gov/policy/gen/fpco/ondex.html

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry. www.ed.gov/policy/gen/fpco/index.html for those that care to look it up.

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ummm...Leo...if you would look, here...

Section 99.4 gives an explanation of the rights of parents.

"An education agency or institution shall give full rights under the Act to either parent, unless the agency or institution has been provided with evidence that there is a court order, State statute, or legally binding document relating to such matters as divorce, separation, or custody, that specifically revokes these rights."

By the way, if you are familar with education law, the LEA is always going to err on the side of caution. If guy here has legal parental rights and proof thereof and shows them to the school then I am sure the school and the BOE will oblige. I am telling you Leo, from experience on this, the school and school board HAS to err on the side of caution in order to CTA's (if ya know what I mean).

BTW, I will and can spout what "vitriol" I want, little thing called first amendment.

It's kinda like, "if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, odds are, its a duck." I'm gonna call em like I see em.

Or in our case...Baby daddy, kept by baby mama, from checking on baby grades. Baby daddy, most likely, is (was) a deadbeat, gave up parental rights a long time ago. Baby daddy now has found religion, realized his mistakes, and wants to be daddy now. Baby mama, suspicious of baby daddy's motives, goes mother lion and keeps baby daddy at arms length. Baby daddy, not learning from past mistakes, wants to continue to blame others for HIS mistakes. And the cycle begins anew...

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Get a life,archangelsk.

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's rich Leo, is that your stock comeback when you're backed into a corner and don't have an argument? Presented with all the facts and a little insider knowledge and the pearl of wisdom from Leo is "Get a life".

Okay, who needs a life, Leo = 676 posts, thats just about two posts a day for the last two years, archangelsk = 40 posts. Tell me again, who needs a life?

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Those weren't facts,archangel,what you gave was your interpretation--a slanted one at that.You seem to be a very miserable,hateful, and petty person,i'll pray for you.:)

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Um...I quoted a piece of the text which backed up my point. I think that I may have nailed the circumstances. Not hateful person at all, far from it, again, just simply calling it how I see it. The only slant is that my slant doesn't jive with your slant.

Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

archangelsk: Professional help is an option, anyone with your preconceived opinions of fatherhood must have had an incredibly disfunctional childhood. Mental health treatments and strong medications could help you block out your childhood memories. Given, father's day in Selma schools would probably only confuse and embarrass a mass majority of the students, we must support a father wanting to be involved in their child's development. Given the information in the Letter to the editor your extra comments concerning Mr. Lewis were not necessary and unwarranted. popdukes12

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ooh, wow, a tongue lashing from the resident STJ curmudgeon. Usually you're on the whole other end of this personal responsibility argument. I forgot, you're a rightie, ya'll are weird on "father's rights".

Anyways, so you just totally struck out on your assessment of a) my mental health and b) my childhood. My childhood was pretty good, close with my dad, mom and siblings, nothing dysfunctional at all. As a matter of fact my dad and I had a wonderful conversation Sunday night. Oops, your bad! My mental health is just fine too, no serotonin deficiencies here

At least you conceded that a Father's Day in the Selma schools would be a failure. HA!

Again...just calling them how I see them!

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A father wanting to be a part of his child's life is personal responsibility.

Posted by pueblonative (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, Archangel, just wow. First off, even going with your 'assumption' (and I need not tell everybody what happens when you play that game) he still has a right to see those records even if he never paid a dime of child support money in his life. The two issues (child support and custody) are completely separate, as any non custodial parent can attest to if and when they go to the CSE because the custodial is blocking access to the child. More importantly, however, this just shows the hypocrisy of the current administration's focus on "responsible fatherhood". I guess John Mutari's lawyer was right about the situation: "shut up, pay your chlid support, and maybe you'll see your kid when the kid turns 18."
As for Mr. Lewis, I would strongly suggest filing a federal lawsuit to get these bureaucrat's attention. You are a father, you have the right to those records. Fight for them and fight for your kid.

Posted by nurturingfather (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Schools that exclude non-custodial parents are violating parents civil rights.

Even noncustodial parents have a First Amendment right to free association and a Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection under the law.

The U.S. Department of Education published a report in which it recommended active participation by nonresident fathers. The report found, "Children are more likely to get mostly A's, to enjoy school, and to participate in extracurricular activities if their nonresident fathers are involved in their schools than if they are not." It went on to say the majority of nonresident fathers are not involved in their children's schools.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

(20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)

A Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

• Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.

For additional information or technical assistance, you may call (202) 260-3887 (voice). Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Or you may contact the Family Policy Compliance Office at the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

See more about parenting and Constitutional Rights at alfra.org

Posted by Mythbuster (anonymous) on November 13, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

archagnelsk:

Your speculation on the Mr. Lewis's background reflects the popular "deadbeat dad epidemic" myth. Don't feel bad, this myth is heavily perpetuated by the mainstream media and it is not surprising you were misled.

The largest study ever done on separated and divorced fathers (Sanford Braver) found that the vast majority of them either are either involved in the lives of their children or are trying their best to be involved. True "deadbeats" who abandon their children are, in reality, extremely rare.

What is true, and the writer of the letter to the editor points this out, is that public policy erects many obstacles for divorced or separated fathers' involvement with their children. And the irony is that these obstacles are erected while the public wrings it's hands and whines about the lack of father involvement.

Archangelsk, you've got it backward. Chances are that Mr. Lewis is NOT a "deadbeat" dad. Much more likely is that he is divorced from a gatekeeping mother who has the full support of the government and school system to keep a good father separated from his child. If you don't understand why such misguided policy exists, Google "child support" and "federal matching funds."

Someday we will look back on the anti-father policies of today and wonder "what were we thinking?"

M

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 14, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And the legal system too,Mythbuster...finally some intelligent --and thoughtful-- comments.That includes you too,popdukes. :)

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 14, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I also heard on WHBBs "Viewpoint that there was a big award ceremony for the DA and DHR on their child support collections this past Friday.There wasn't one mention on enforcement of visitation or shared custody involving the father.Very telling of the government and legal system's priorities.

Posted by archangelsk (anonymous) on November 15, 2009 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nevermind I have been working in education for oh, the last 10 years. Nevermind that I have recieved training from not one, but five different entities which have stressed that Local Education Authorities must err on the side of caution when providing student records to non-custodial parents.

As far as the deadbeat dad "myth", it's no myth, its a reality...sorry, again, professional and personal experience has shown me this occurs much more often than you want to let on.

The quote I had from above comes straight from the act, if there is an order or if the parent has given up or never had parental rights, then under FERPA the LEA does not have to oblige. As sue happy as people are and concerned with their childrens privacy, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION. No federal laws were broken, no civil rights were denied, there is no case. I REPEAT, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION, THEY HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO DO SO.

Don't forget all of you that there ARE people who go around trying to steal your children's information in order to steal their identity. Could be that Mr. Lewis does not share a common last name with the child and could not provide the necessary proof of the relationship. How pissed would all have you had been if this was a letter from a parent saying how some "bureaucrat" gave up her kids info to someone who claimed to be their parent and ended up stealing the kids identity and now that family was saddled with all the debt and the child name and credit ruined.

I have no doubt the beneficial effect of a father's presence in the home. Though your "largest study ever done" was actually a questionnaire that was given to incoming freshman ASU students, and has been thoroughly criticised, I do not doubt there are fathers trying to do your best, but unfortunately I do not believe this to be the case in this instance.

BTW, each and everyone of your right wing, anti-government, teabaggery has not gone unnoticed.

Posted by Mythbuster (anonymous) on November 16, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry archangelsk, the Sanford Braver study was bit more substantial than a "questionnaire."

"Braver's research, supported by $10 million in federal grants over the past 15 years, has produced one of the nation's most comprehensive studies on non-custodial parents, including 400 Maricopa County families that were tracked from 1986 to 1990."

I'll take Mr. Braver's science over your anecdotes and "personal experience" every time. But go ahead -- when the facts aren't on your side, start the name-calling and distortions of reality.

M

Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on November 17, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's an exercise in futility to intelligently debate archangelsk on this,Mythbuster.They gave a clue that they're involved in education--as I suspected--it's no wonder America is on the decline with people like them teaching our kids.God help us!