As long as they're under 18, the parents should have the right to know... I thought that was the law?

I think it depends on the child's age. Certainly, I think that the school medical and counselling records should be shared with the family doctor at the very least, if this is done at the parent's request. Just to ensure that the child is being properly cared for, and avoid problems which may arise through lack of monitoring. I do think there must be a level of confidentiality for teenagers [both in school, and with the doctor. In the UK children can have their matters kept from their parents, and their parents have no right to find out what has been discussed between child and doctor. I don't know what the bottom age is]. If teenagers feel their records will be kept confidential, they may be more willing to seek the advice and help they need. Advice they may not seek if it were to get back to their parents. I am not sure what the bottom age for confidentiality at school should be, perhaps 14. Maybe even younger. It also depends on the nature of the records. Claims of problems at home or abuse, for example, should not be shared with the parents without the child's permission for safety reasons.

Never faced this problem in Tennessee. just the opposite is true. Teachers are not the parents. Parents/police must be notified anytime there is a problem with a student/child.

Yes, the records must be open to parents because sometimes records secrecy is a ruse to hide child abuse by school administrators. There have been cases where records were altered or intentionally not kept to obscure illegal activities. Here are some links about actual cases: http://www.jdnews.com/news/school-64265-clevinger-information.html http://psychwatch.blogspot.com/2006/09/school-psychologist-arrest-for.html http://www.nycsci.org/public/12-07%20Edgar%20LaLuz%20Pr.pdf

Do these schools you speak about have a medical facility in them? How does a school make a medical diagnosis on a child? How often does a child talk to a guidance counselor? Where are the parent's responsibilities to know their child and have a family physician. Don't medical records come from the doctor to thr parents and then disclosed to the schools? q:)

yes..i do...UNLESS one or both of the parents are the REASON for the need of counsel or medical needs...then its best to get POLICE involved also....

I definitely think it depends on the child's age. If they are younger than 18...then yes, I think the parents have the right to know their own child's medical records. I'm still kind of on the fence about the counseling aspect though. The child should have the option to speak to someone freely about their feelings without having to worry about anyone finding out. +4

Logic tells me that yes. if a child is under the age of consent then their parents are indeed responsible for them, and therefore, not only should the school disclose, but the parents should agree to any mental or physical examination beforehand! However, then experience kicks in - some parents (only a very few!) do not pay attention to their child's welfare, and even cause mental / physical problems in their child. In cases like that, to disclose to the parents might exacerbate a situation. Schools have this "in loco parentis" thing going, and therefore ought to behave in the way that a parent might in making such decisions. In addition to that, schools in UK are bound by the provisions of the Children's Act, which lays out in law the need to provide for the child's welfare at all times. And that, I believe is the issue - any decision to disclose or not must be made with the child's welfare in mind. Obviously the school has a duty of care to the child, but is in position to make any decisions regarding the child's well-being in conjunction with other authorities, eg social services, school nurses etc. The majority of parents of course DO act with their child's well-being at the forefront of their minds, and of course the school will know that. But for that rare case where outside bodies are involved it is a good thing that schools have the power to act on a child' behalf.