Document: 534 U.S. 426122 S.Ct. 934151 L.Ed.2d 896 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.OWASSO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT No. I-011, aka OWASSO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, et al., PETITIONERSv.KRISTJA J. FALVO, parent and next friend her minor children, ELIZABETH PLETAN, PHILIP ERICA PLETAN 00-1073. Argued November 27, 2001Decided February 19, 2002 Syllabus Teachers sometimes ask students, including respondent's score each other's tests, papers, assignments as teachers explain correct answers entire class. Claiming such "peer grading" violates Family Educational Rights Privacy Act 1974 (FERPA Act), respondent filed a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action against school district officials (petitioners). FERPA, inter alia, authorizes federal funds withheld from districts permit students' "education records (or personally identifiable information contained therein )" released without their parents' written consent, 20 1232g (b)(1); defines education "records, files, documents, materials" containing directly related student, which "are maintained by an educational agency institution person acting for institution," §1232(a)(4)(A). In granting petitioners summary judgment, District held grades put on papers another student not records." The Tenth Circuit reversed, holding FERPA provided with cause enforceable under §1983, finding marked students work records," so very act grading impermissible release grader. Held: Peer does violate FERPA. Pp. 3-9. (a) assumes, deciding, provides private parties §1983. Though question left open, has subject-matter jurisdiction here because claim completely devoid merit involve controversy. 3-4. (b) Petitioners contend include only institutional records, e.g., grade point averages, standardized test scores, disciplinary actions. But respondent, adopting Circuit's reasoning, contends assignment satisfies §1232(a)(4)(A)'s definition soon it. That court determined teachers' books within "maintained" teacher thus covered Act. recognized do maintain individual until they have recorded them books. It reasoned, however, if cannot disclose once book, it makes no sense disclosure immediately beforehand. graders reported teacher. Two statutory indicators show erred. First, not, at stage, word's ordinary meaning preserve retain. Even assuming book record, student-graded "contained therein," §1232g(b)(1), "Maintain" suggests will kept file school's record room secure database, but handle few moments calls out answers. also erred concluding grader "a for" institution, §1232g(a)(4)(A). phrase connotes agents school. Just would awkward say when following teacher's instruction take quiz, equally direction process can much part taking itself. think prohibits techniques. Moreover, saying different maintaining Other sections §1232g(b)(4)(A), requires institutions access student's support this Court's interpretation. instant limited narrow that, least them. reach broader whether protects turned teachers. 4-9.233 F.3d 1203, reversed remanded. ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT APPEALS FOR TENTH CIRCUIT Kennedy, J., delivered Court, Rehnquist, Stevens, O'Connor, Souter, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer, JJ., joined. Opinion Justice Kennedy Court. 1 explains Respondent practice, refer peer grading, 88 Stat. 571, . We took case resolve issue. 2 * Under schools agencies receiving financial assistance must comply certain conditions. §1232g(a)(3). One condition specified sensitive about parental consent. states policy practice permitting ) consent parents." §1232g(b)(1). records" defined, Act, institution." contains exception "records instructional, supervisory, administrative personnel sole possession maker thereof accessible revealed except substitute." §1232g(a)(4)(B)(i). precise us peer-graded classroom records. 3 Three Kristja Falvo's children enrolled Owasso Independent School suburb Tulsa, Oklahoma. children's teachers, like many country, use grading. typical case, exchange according instructions, then return who prepared report own scores. appears could either call walk desk reveal confidence, though course, was known one did Both system calling scores contention here. 4 claimed embarrassed children. She asked adopt uniform banning requiring themselves forbid than own. declined so, brought class pursuant Rev. §1979, (1994 ed., Supp. V), district, Superintendent Dale Johnson, Assistant Lynn Principal Rick Thomas alleged district's violated laws relevant Northern Oklahoma granted judgment favor position. "maintained (a)(4)(A), constitute On reasoning ruled 5 Appeals reversed. 233 1203 (2000). directed conditions meet receive funds, initial matter considered confers right upon parents met. Despite absence explicit authorization conferring parties, sue enforce FERPA's terms F.3d, 1211-1213. Turning merits, work, held, protected statute, Id., 1216. 6 certiorari decide 533 927 (2001). Finding violation we reverse. II 7 At outset, note open issue case. See Gonzaga Univ. v. Doe, __ (2002). furthermore, contest §1983 Appeals. raised sua sponte, seek question. need our "to cases grounds included certiorari." Bragdon Abbott, 524 624 , 638 (1998). these circumstances assume, deciding expressing question, provisions leave "completely controversy." Steel Co. Citizens Better Environment, 523 83 89 (1998) (citation omitted). With observations concluded, turn merits. 8 appear agree becomes moment it, asking class, Tr. Oral Arg. 21. Without point, assume purposes analysis correct. disagree, all. contain 9 Petitioners, supported amicus curiae, covers namely, those materials retained permanent course. They argue institution" generally final course grades, attendance counseling actions homework work. Brief 17; Amicus Curiae 14. 10 Respondent, Appeals, fall reasoned been unnecessary Congress enact exception. Grade within, 1215. result forbids Ibid. 11 Appeals' logic withstand scrutiny. Its interpretation, effect drastic alteration existing allocation responsibilities between National Government operation Nation's schools. hesitate interpreting statute substantial change balance federalism unless manifest purpose legislation. principle guides decision. 12 tell graded student. word "maintain" keep existence continuance; preserve; retain." Random House Dictionary English Language 1160 (2d ed. 1987). while peers' marks. Nor filing cabinet perhaps even after longer enrolled. fanciful same way registrar maintains folder file. 13 further mistaken "acting school, administrators, employees. accord usual understanding follow Correcting classmate's teach material again new context, helps how assist respect fellow pupils. By explaining reinforces lesson discovers understood ready move on. lose sight fact "by [an educational] modifies "maintain." were assignment, 14 Davis Michigan Dept. Treasury, 489 803 809 (1989) ("It fundamental canon construction words read context view place overall scheme"). example, "maintain student." §1232g(b)(4)(A). list reasons doing so. "shall available parents, [and] official his assistants responsible custody 15 broad interpretation every obligation separate assignments. Indeed, court's logic, bear burden doubt imposed weighty teacher, certainly extended mandate students. 16 Also record" pupil. single "with contemplated access. describing "school official" "his assistants" implies central custodian, registrar, handled classrooms. 17 recipients provide hearing accuracy child's §1232g(a)(2). hearings conducted "in accordance regulations Secretary," ibid., require adjudication disinterested opportunity represented attorney. 34 CFR 99.22 doubtful elaborate procedural machinery challenge spelling art project child completes. 18 Respondent's term cover impose burdens across country. force all instructors time, otherwise spent teaching preparation, assortment daily make more difficult give immediate guidance. urges abandon customary practices, group team logical consequences unbounded. argument, counsel seemed thousands classrooms Nation puts happy face, gold star, disapproving remark law allow see 40. 19 meant intervene fashion traditional state functions. power exercise minute control over specific methods instructional dynamics throughout likely mandated result, interpret For reasons, erred, events collected book. limit assignments, 21 remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 22 ordered. 23 Scalia, concurring judgment. 24 I remain because, explains, another's phrase. Ante, 6-7. agree, ground repeatedly suggested Court: documents some repository ("The 'maintain' database [student graders] file"), ("FERPA "). 25 As acknowledges, ante, 2, 5, expressly excluded coverage substitute," (a)(4)(B)(i). argues exception, presumably encompasses might create classroom, rendered superfluous "institutional registrar." statutes render inoperative. Nordic Village, Inc., 503 30 35-36 (1992). 26 why argument correct, yet continues rely "central custodian" seemingly renders personnel" superfluous. Worse still, relying theory plainly excludes books, protests 6. my view, endorsement decision contrary §1232g(a)(4)(B)(i), (when combined disclaimer status books) incurably confusing. concur

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