SAN ANTONIO, TX -- As a parent, you would do anything to protect your children and their identity. School districts across the US are selling your child's personal information to anyone who asks for it. It's not because they want to, it's because they have to, it's the law.
With a simple request, school districts across the US will give out your kid's information.
"Oh my goodness," was Mendi Litman's reaction. Mendi's son Michael's information is part of a list of students' private information from his school. Mendi and her son Michael, had no idea anyone could get a hold of this information.
"Why would the district allow this to happen?" asked Michael, "Why would they allow them to take information like this?"
Basically, school districts are simply complying with the law. A federal law called the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act mandates public school districts across the country to give out your child's personal information. A student's name, address, telephone number, any awards they've gotten, and their parents' names are just a few of the things strangers can obtain.
If someone wants your child's information all they have to do is ask for it. For a small amount of money school districts will provide whoever asks for it with your kids private information.
"Unfortunately, our hands are tied," explains Laura Calderon, a spokesperson for school districts in Texas. Laura says a lot of companies will request students' information; army recruiters, day cares, photography businesses and even driving school.
Calderon warns, sometimes individuals who are not associated with any business will request children's information.
"We can't distinguish between the request of a legitimate marketer that wants to give out some coupons to a restaurant. We can't distinguish between that and the request of a journalist or between a general member of the public who might have an alterior motive."
Mendi Litman says she doesn't even remember giving the district permission to sell her child's information and its something that worries her.
"Nothing is private anymore," she says.
There are things you can do to stop this from happening. When you register your child for school make sure you read enrollment papers. They should ask you for permission to release this information. You can also send your child's school a formal written request asking that your child's name and information be removed from these lists.
