National Database showing all schools you have ever enrolled at?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by saabsrule, Mar 22, 2008.

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  1. saabsrule

    saabsrule New Member

    I recently enrolled at Ashford University and was surprised to find out the new every school I ever attended even if I didn’t have a degree. I took some grad. Credits from Adams State University recently, but never got a degree. It showed up in the national database that the school uses. I called them to find out about it and they said most schools supply information to this database. Does anyone know anything about this? When you apply to schools to you give them permission to share this information? Is it legal?
     
  2. CoachTurner

    CoachTurner Member

    Directory information is generally considered not restricted for release. You gave permission for schools you've attended to release this information when you enrolled and agreed to the policies in their catalog.

    An example of such a policy is:

    "FHTC affords all its students their full rights as provided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Unless specified in writing by the student, FHTC may release to anyone requesting such information the following “directory information” about the student:

    * Name
    * Current address and telephone number
    * Permanent address and telephone number
    * E-mail address
    * Date of birth
    * Year of school (i.e., freshman/sophomore)
    * Program of study
    * Enrollment status (i.e., full-time, half-time)
    * Country of citizenship
    * Participation in student clubs
    * Dates of attendance
    * Certificates or degrees awarded
    * Most recent educational institution attended other than FHTC

    The College will not release any other information or records of a student to another party, except as explained below,..."

    from Flint Hills Technical College. I bet you didn't know you had given permission for release of that much information. You did though.
     
  3. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

  4. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member


    Why would they need this if you have your schools send them certified transcripts?
     
  5. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

    I'd imagine some folks don't bother mentioning schools they attended if they only received poor grades there, but went on to shine at another school.

    It started as a student loan database, they branched out into academic information about five years ago, and the transcript service seems to be new this year, based on the history page.
     
  6. saabsrule

    saabsrule New Member

    If they are doing transcripts they must have our SSN... Does this seem dangerous? I wonder if I can write to them and have my information taken off their system.
     
  7. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

    I agree with you completely, but I don't think you can get anything removed. I think there is even a good argument that the clearinghouse is, of all things, a consumer reporting agency subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

    I looked at Ball State's FERPA page, and found that BSU will disclose all information to the clearinghouse about you, including that which requires consent under FERPA, because they have designated the clearinghouse as a "school official". Searching some of the phrases contained in the disclaimer shows that many other schools do this as well.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 23, 2008
  8. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    According to their website, it looks as if they are marketing mostly to employers as a way to verify educational attainment. They have a statistic that 41% of applicants lie about their education on their resume. I don't know if that is true or propaganda used to help market the service.
    I think if your college reports your attendance (they say 90% of college students are attending a college that reports) I can see how the college might just go ahead and run your name anyway.
     
  9. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    Transcripts can be falsified, or they may be from a bogus school. 3rd party verification is the way to go.
     

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