Student records

Q: How can I get records of all students suspended or expelled from the local high school? I feel like my son has had offenses fabricated against him.

A: Generally speaking, student records are private and you cannot get access to them without the permission of the parent. This privacy is governed by the Education Code section 49076. Also, unless the parents request otherwise, any hearing on a proposed expulsion is conducted in closed session, i.e. is not public. See Education Code section 48918.

However, once a final decision has been made to expel a student, the fact of the expulsion and the reason for the decision must be disclosed in a public document. See Education Code section 48918(j) and (k). I have attached the text of this section below. You may make a Public Records Act request for these documents, following the procedures set forth on the CFAC website. I would specifically refer in your request to all records concerning "final actions" on expulsions under Education Code section 48918(j) and (k).