Arizona school accused of violating federal law over grade display

PHOENIX — A national nonprofit is accusing officials at an Arizona high school of violating federal law by forcing students to display their academic status if they are failing class.

The Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said in December upperclassmen who were missing credits at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood were given red IDs to wear.

According to NBC News, the school typically reserves red IDs for freshmen and sophomores, while juniors and seniors wear gray badges.

The ACLU claimed that high school officials are violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act by making students’ educational records available to non-authorized officials.

The 1974 act, also known as FERPA, says public schools may only disclose those records with consent, and only under certain conditions.

The system “subjects all students, particularly students with learning disabilities, to ridicule and harassment,” the ACLU argued.

“Students with learning disabilities have faced increased pressure in their academic performance knowing that other students will know their grades when they are forced to walk around with a ‘scarlet badge.'”

The ACLU called on the school to comply with FERPA regulations and “prevent other students from feeling marginalized and excluded.”

The civil rights group told NBC News that it did not know how many 11th- and 12th graders are wearing red badges.

Mingus Union High School has not responded to a request for comment.

Editor’s note: The ACLU reported on Jan. 9 that the school revised its policy. 

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