School Principal In Hot Water For Posting Students' Grades

A Wisconsin middle school principal is in hot water after posting the grades of failing students last Thursday. "The Marshfield News-Herald" reports that Dave Schoepke -- principal of Marshfield Middle School " said he had his reasons for posting the students' poor grades. Schopke reports that he affixed the list in his office alcove so that he could contact the students on the list, discuss outstanding assignments, and encourage them to bring up their grades. By posting the information, however, Schoepke may have violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law structured to keep students' records private. Schoepke said he was just trying to work with the failing students so that they could attend a school dance on Friday. Marshfield Middle School policy prevents anyone with failing grades from participating in extracurricular activities, including dances.