Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Logo
Education Laws and Regulations

603 CMR 23.00:

Student Records

Section:


Most Recently Amended by the Board of Education: August 15, 2006

603 CMR 23.00 is promulgated by the Board of Education pursuant to its powers under M.G.L. c.71, § 34D which directs that "the board of education shall adopt regulations relative to the maintenance of student records by the public elementary and secondary schools of the commonwealth," and under M.G.L. c. 71, § 34F which directs that "the board of education shall adopt regulations relative to the retention, duplication and storage of records under the control of school committees, and except as otherwise required by law may authorize the periodic destruction of any such records at reasonable times." 603 CMR 23.00 was originally promulgated on February 10, 1975, and was reviewed and amended in June, 1995. 603 CMR 23.00 is in conformity with federal and state statutes regarding maintenance of and access to student records, and are to be construed harmoniously with such statutes.


23.05: Privacy and Security of Student Records

(1) The school principal or his/her designee shall be responsible for the privacy and security of all student records maintained in the school.

(2) The superintendent of schools or his/her designee shall be responsible for the privacy and security of all student records that are not under the supervision of a school principal, for example, former students' transcripts stored in the school department's central administrative offices or student records of school-age children with special needs who have not been enrolled in a public school.

(3) The principal and superintendent of schools shall insure that student records under their supervision are kept physically secure, that authorized school personnel are informed of the provisions of 603 CMR 23.00 and M.G.L. c. 71, § 34H and are educated as to the importance of information privacy and confidentiality; and that any computerized systems employed are electronically secure.

Regulatory Authority:
603 CMR 23.00: M.G.L. c. 71, 34D, 34E.


Disclaimer:
For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore.

Last Updated: August 9, 2021

 
Contact Us

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

Directions

Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.