An institution of higher education may ask for signed consent to release student academic information, and it may release student information for course-credit transfer purposes or through approved data-sharing platforms.
Sec. 51.9715. RELEASE OF STUDENT ACADEMIC INFORMATION. (a) An institution of higher education may request the submission of a signed consent form authorizing the institution to release academic course, grade, and credit information with each: (1) application for undergraduate transfer admission to the institution, if the institution is a general academic teaching institution, to be used for the purposes of Section 61.833; or (2) request from a student for a release of the student's transcript by the institution. (a-1) An institution of higher education, or a school district that offers international baccalaureate courses, dual credit courses, or any other course for which an institution of higher education may award students enrolled at the district college course credit, including course credit awarded by examination, may release student information to an institution of higher education for purposes of transferring course credit to that institution or enabling the awarding of course credit by that institution, in accordance with federal law regarding the confidentiality of student information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g), and any state law relating to the privacy of student information. (b) An institution of higher education or school district may release student information in accordance with Subsection (a) or (a-1), as applicable, through: (1) the National Student Clearinghouse; or (2) a similar electronic data sharing and exchange platform operated by an agent of the institution or district that meets nationally accepted standards, conventions, and practices. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 635 (S.B. 1714), Sec. 1, eff. June 16, 2015. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1210 (S.B. 25), Sec. 6, eff. June 14, 2019.