I am moving my girls into a new school in the fall. It is NOT a private school, but it is a charter school. Charter schools do receive government funding, and therefore have to abide by the laws governing public schools. The new student pack requires not only a copy of their birth certificates, but a copy of their social security cards as well. Does this seem necessary? I don't believe I should be putting their numbers out there on all of the paperwork and documentation that ask for it. Identity theft has been rapidly increasing over the years, and thieves are now targeting children as well. My girls do also have passports that they can use for identification purposes.
I'm pretty sure that the schools do not need all of this information. Even undocumented (illegal immigrant) children are allowed to attend the public schools.
I feel very fortunate that the girls are getting into the school this year, and I do not want them to lose their spots. So I really don't want to rock the boat too much. What are your thoughts?
I made copies of their social security cards and blacked out all but the last 4 digits. For those of you who say the information will be secure- I vehemently disagree. I turned in their packets the last day which also happened to be the last Friday of the month. Apparently they do a birthday cake for everyone who had a birthday that month (staff not students). It was a very relaxed atmosphere and people were coming and going out of the office. The secretary left to make a copy of my daughter's IEP while leaving me there. Right on top of her desk was another child's packet with the copy of her social security card-not blacked out and birth certificate on top.
Perhaps the items get filed away in a "safe" place, but anyone could have walked out with that little girl's information and probably others that were amongst the stack.
I would ask the school for their reason, if you are concerned. But I agree with Marda that is reasonable to assume they need it for their records to be able to obtain funding. One reason all children now have SSNs is that people were committing tax deduction fraud when all that was needed was a name. Schools would need a way to verify how many children they are serving.
You will find many instances in which you have to provide a social security number for your children. Claiming them on your taxes is one that comes to mind.
Many places now just need to see the social security card to verify that the number you've provided matches. We require proof of the right to work in the US, but we don't keep actual copies of it.
I had a business as a client who had an employee who provided a social security card. After being there for the probationary period, they submitted the paperwork to have him added to the group health insurance. Lo and behold, the insurance carrier caught the fact that the number actually belonged to one of their former subscribers. Former...as in deceased.
I understand you wanting to protect yourself, but unfortunately, people lie. People commit fraud. If you want you children to have the benefits of an education at a school that receives government funding, I don't see any way around you providing the social security numbers and allowing the school to at least verify them.
Talk to the school about your concerns. Hopefully, they can allay your fears.
Best wishes.
Here is the answer from the TEA website...and, no they can't require it. I do not provide the SS# to anyone due to concerns for increased identity theft.
9. Can a school district require a social security number as their student identification number?
A social security number (SSN) is generally used to report students in the state system. Most student-identifiable information (including SSN) are protected as confidential by state and federal law. A student who does not have a social security number or whose parents do not wish to disclose it will be assigned a state-issued number. While the preference is to use the SSN (it is easier to track students through a 13 year academic program that may involve a number of transfers), refusing to provide it is not a basis for refusing to enroll an eligible student.
I would tell them you are willing to bring it to school to show them but at no time will it be allowed to be copied. At our schools you also have to bring in copies of parents drivers license and copies of our utility bills. I brought all of the above in and then when they wanted to copy them I said here I brought you copies. which I did but which I blacked out all but the name on. they do not need to have your personal numbers in the system. that is just asking for trouble. 1 dishonest person working in the office and your identity could be stolen
When we moved, the school just asked to see the information.
They didn't want a copy and they just marked down that they saw it.
They also wanted to see a utility bill with a parents name on it so they could be sure we were living in their district.
I'd just fill out the paperwork & submit it -- without a copy of their social security card. If they really need it, they'll come back and ask for it. Then, if they come looking for it, ask why. Ask if you can provide a copy with the first 5 digits blacked out. Go from there.
I've done this before. Sometimes, they don't ask after the initial paperwork is submitted. If they do, some places have accepted a partially blacked out copy.
Its for "status" information. Maybe just go up there and let them see it? I do belove you have the right to protect their identities though. Did you know rick Perry is trying to pass a law that will not allow illegal children in to the school systems? Yep! I don't know all the details but he is trying to get it passed. I personally know of two families that have a daughter and a son that went all the way through school, applied for college and got everything completed to attend (one scholarship and one financial aid) and once school started they wanted their socials. Of course neither had one and both were not allowed to attend. Working that hard and earning it and not getting to complete their education because their parents didn't do it legally. Now im all for everybody needing to follow the same rules but really?? It was earned!! Ok! Im jumping off my box now but I think its because of that. I wonder if they would be accepted if they weren't legal????
Congrats on the great school! I hope y'all have a fantastic year!
Does the paperwork explain why they need the number? My guess is for funding too. I would just ask, I am sure there is an explanation.
I would also want to know if student aides have access to these records.
You can ask for options or try not providing it. Our community college asked me and my kids for our SS numbers. When I asked if there was a way to enroll without it, they said yes, they could assign us a special student ID number. Same thing with our hospital. They asked for SS numbers when I took my daughter to the emergency room. Mine and hers. I didn't have them on me, come on it was an emergency. They gave me a hard time about needing them for insurance purposes. Turns out they would like the numbers but without them, the insurance co just had to take an extra step to verify our identity. Take the girls' passports. That identifies you as US citizens, sometimes it's enough.
it is odd to me that they require a copy of it. I could see if they want to verify the number. Ask what the purpose for the copy is. Shane below mentioned that to work in the US proof is required which may come in the form of a SSC. But some employers do keep copies. They are legally permitted to do so as long as it is required of ALL employees. But that is also apples to oranges. Employing individuals not legally permitted to work in the US is a felony. There are not the same requirements for elementary or primary education.
yes it does seem necessary.
The paper work for school isn't a security risk.
I love it. You will not have a lot of illegals in your child's schol!
I suggest that they do need their social security numbers so that they can be paid by the government.
I was a YMCA volunteer and they required my SS #. I refused at first. They explained that they needed it, that it would be confidential and I gave it to them. They had an explanation for why they needed it but I don't remember what it was. They also said that I couldn't volunteer without giving it.
I suggest you ask the school. I suggest that if they need it, they will have to not accept your daughter as a student.
I also suggest that it would be safe to give the cards to the school They screen their employees and their records will be confidential.
Here is the thing, I work around medical collectors. We can get people's social security numbers, or at least our outside collection agency can, whether they give them or not. I would think if collection companies can do it a school can do it, ya know?
So it seems to be there is no upside to withholding it.
The other thing is what if they deny you entrance to the school because you will not provide it? I know straight up public schools can't but I would think a charter school is not required by law to accept all students.
D., follow the rules. Make a smooth transition for your children. Don't you want make friends with tjphe front desk department? It's much nicer to have them on your side....
Yep -charter schools ARE public schools and every public school here, including the charters, requires the child's social security card. It's a federally mandated law and procedure -not just a state one. Basically, without the social security cards/numbers, the child doesn't really exist to the government and schools are given money per pupil. I guess some states have exceptions, but if you don't have a social security card here, they don't let you register.
I am a teacher and have worked at my fair share of schools. Your child's social security number will be safe if the schools are following proper procedures. In every school I have worked at, that information is kept in cummulative folders under lock and key. The keys are usually held by only 1-2 individuals (usually the head secretary and an administrator) They can not be accessed by just anyone in the building. (For example, I can see the folders of my students for educational purposes but not the folders of other children in the building) There has to be an educational reason for them to be accessed. Even then, the person viewing them has to sign documentation when they review the folders. If something were to happen, the school would know exactly who had access to the folder and when.
That being said, they can not "require" you to give it them. However, I wouldn't rock the boat. I feel confident in the security procedures and both of my children have copies of their ss cards in their cummulative folders.
Social Security cards prove citizenship and will allow the school to follow your child to other schools and through out life.
Ever seen on TV where they can track a person clear from elementary school? This is why.
