Re: FERPA & Writing consultants

[Katherine Fischer <kfischer@keller.clarke.edu>]

Scott, I think it's so wise that you are checking with your local folks as
far as how FERPA guidlines and practices might operate on your campus 
since different institutions have different sensitivites regarding the
law.  And I can't suggest whether I think your use of the w.c. to assist
with "failed" exams would impinge on FERPA guidelines (I'm assuming that
your tutors sign the FERPA confidentiality agreement here), but I'd be
more likely to offer the w.c. as an option to students rather than a
required part of the process.  I'd suspect these students will be quite
motivated to improve their writing and the offering may be enough. 
Meanwhile, I think the privacy issue can't be taken seriously enough.

Katie

On Tue, 5 Oct 1999, Scott Hendrix wrote:

> Hi all, 
> 
> how do you handle student privacy issues with regard to peer writing consultants and tutoring work with other students?
> 
> I ask because here at Albion College we have a college-wide "competency exam," a timed writing that must be passed in order for a student to graduate. In the past, students who failed the exam twice had to enroll in a one-on-one tutorial with the faculty director of the exam. Now that the college has a writing center, I have been planning to have students who fail the exam work with writing consultants on assessing their exams, discussing strategies for prepping, writing under time pressure, proofreading and revision in crunch time, etc. The sad reality is that the exam asks for and almost requires a pat 5 paragraph theme. This format may be changed in the future, but the short-term need is how to deal with it as is. (I'd also be interested to hear from folks who have worked to successfully revise or eliminate such writing "hoops"--though as a new faculty member, I'm only learning the long history and nuances of this writing event...)
> 
> Do you think the plan for utilizing writing consultants is a good idea?  And/or does this kind of sharing of information--having WC folks read "failed" essays, and working with students who have failed the exam, etc.--violate the Buckley Amendment/FERPA guidelines? This kind of information would likely come out during discussion and work in the writing center--but then it is volunteered by students. 
> 
> Advice please--suggestions for who else I should ask? (I'm also contacting the Dean of Students here, as well as the Provost, my boss.) 
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> Scott
> 
> Scott Hendrix
> Director of Writing
> Albion College
> 
>