How should educational records for a child in care be managed?

• A. Share with public
• B. Keep secure, share with authorized school personnel, and keep records updated and accurate.
• C. Delete after placement ends
• D. Keep only offline

Answer: (B)

Handling educational records for a child in care revolves around protecting privacy while ensuring the right people can access the information to support the child’s education. Keep records secure by storing them in locked files or in password-protected systems, with access limited to authorized school staff and approved child-welfare personnel. Share only with those who have a legitimate educational need to know, such as teachers, counselors, and school administrators who coordinate supports for the student. Keep the records updated and accurate so decisions about placement, accommodations, and services reflect current information, including progress, attendance, IEPs or 504 plans, and up-to-date contact details. When relocation occurs, securely transfer records to the new school to maintain continuity of services; avoid public sharing and offline-only storage, which can compromise privacy and accessibility. Deleting records after placement ends would also undermine retention requirements and future educational planning.