LJC Fights for Parental Access to Student Completed Classwork

On September 16, 2025, the Liberty Justice Center sent a demand letter to Dorchester School District Two on behalf of parent Jamey Cronemeyer, asserting her right to inspect and review her daughter’s completed tests and quizzes. The letter cited the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and U.S. Department of Education’s guidance making clear that completed test instruments and answer sheets are “education records,” and requested timely access. If no change was implemented, LJC stood ready to file a complaint with the DOE’s Student Privacy Policy Office.

The district responded on September 26, 2025, stating it had provided copies of teacher-made classroom assessments to Ms. Cronemeyer, and had offered to meet to review scoring. The district claimed it had not received additional inspection requests and considered the matter resolved.

The Liberty Justice Center replied on October 17, 2025, documenting that Ms. Cronemeyer had been repeatedly denied meaningful review. Examples included:

• A February 2025 meeting where tests were not produced, and the restriction was described as a superintendent “policy.”
• An April 10, 2025 “review” limited to a teacher-controlled slideshow on a smartboard, with insufficient time to review questions and answers.
• Partial access in May 2025, with at least ten assessments still withheld.
• Statements by district officials in July and August 2025 characterizing the restriction as “practice,” and telling the parent she would “under no circumstances” be allowed to see the tests.
• A new teacher in August 2025 again citing “district policy” to deny access.
• Outstanding requests for multiple Geometry Honors unit tests and quizzes and the final quiz.

Following these examples, the Liberty Justice Center requested the district to issue clear written guidance that: all completed tests and quizzes (including common assessments) are available for timely inspection; copies or secure digital access will be provided when feasible; in-person reviews will allow adequate, unhurried time with both questions and responses together (not a slideshow); and staff will provide required explanations under 34 C.F.R. § 99.10(c).

On November 3, 2025, the district reiterated its position: parents may inspect common assessments on-site and may inspect or receive copies of other records (like quizzes) depending on confidentiality; it disputed some facts, stated it had not received additional inspection requests (including for a Biology Honors assessment), and again considered the matter resolved.

On November 19, 2025, Ms. Cronemeyer was finally permitted the opportunity to sit down with her child’s teacher to review her daughter’s biology tests. She felt satisfied with the access provided by the teacher and awaits the opportunity promised by the prinicipal to review geometry tests.

“This policy of being unable to have readily available access to completed and graded tests is a roadblock to learning,” said Ms. Cronemeyer. “Students cannot learn from their mistakes if they cannot see what those mistakes are and parents cannot help their students learn when parents cannot see the students completed assessments either. This is a true disservice to the furthering of learning and their academic careers.”

The Liberty Justice Center is proud to stand with parents around the country to ensure their rights are being upheld and they have ability to support and help their children to the best of their ability.