Search

This document sets out the requirements of federal law pertaining to confidentiality of student records. It provides guidance for the development of school-district policies on the handling of student records and provides a framework for legal information sharing. The paper discusses in detail each of the major federal statutes and its requirements: (1) the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA); (2) the Grassley Amendment to the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; (3) 42 U.S.C. Section 290dd-2 (1994); and (4) the Education of the Handicapped Act. A review of the laws' requirements concludes that, first, each school district should develop and implement clearly stated policies and procedures regarding student records. Second, school districts should fully inform parents and eligible students of their rights, including their right of access to student records and educational materials. Parents and students should also be apprised of situations in which information can be gathered and disclosed without their consent. Finally, school districts should examine applicable state laws. Answers to frequently asked questions are also included. Appendices summarize the provisions of each federal statute and list applicable state laws. (LMI)

A well-characterized exposure chamber is necessary to generate reproducible atmospheres for inhalation toxicology studies. The aim of the present study was to characterize a head-only exposure chamber for non-human primates. Aerosols containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used to characterize a 16-L dynamic airflow head-only exposure chamber. A 2S0-ml plastic bottle with a respirator attached located inside the chamber was used to simulate a breathing head. Chamber leak rate, mixing, and aerosol spatial distributions were quantified. The chamber concentration profile was measured at the chamber exhaust using an aerodynamic particle sizer. Aerosol spatial distribution was determined by collecting filter samples at several chamber locations. The particle size distribution was determined by collecting cascade impactor samples at several chamber locations. The estimated chamber leak rate was within standards suggested in the literature. The measured average aerosol residence time was similar to theoretical aerosol residence time, suggesting that the chamber was mixing well. Additionally, the average concentration measured at each of the sampling locations within the chamber was similar, and the within-run coefficients of variation (CV) across all sampling locations was similar to those reported in previously published studies, again suggesting that the aerosol concentration throughout the chamber was uniform. The particle size distribution was similar throughout the exposure chamber. Additionally, the BSA concentration and particle size distributions measured in the breathing zone of the simulated head were not significantly different from measurements made elsewhere in the chamber, suggesting that respiration does not affect the average aerosol concentration or particle size distribution at the mouth., Published in Inhalation Technology, v22 n3 p224-233, 2010. Performed in collaboration with Akimeka, Inc., Frederick, MD.

This study was designed to examine serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) response of walking with various backpack loads. Twelve, healthy, male volunteers attempted eight, 12-hour treadmill walks at three mph at a 0% grade (20-minute walk/40-minute rest per hour). Subjects carried either 0, 25, 50, or 75% of their respective body weights (BW) as a backpack load during the walks. Each subject performed half of the eight walks wearing a light weight cotton uniform (CAMMIE) and the other half wearing a chemical defense uniform including mask (MOPP). Blood samples were obtained before and after each walk. Results demonstrated that 0% and 25% loads did not significantly (p < 0.05) elevate serum CPK levels. The 50% and 75% loads, however, resulted in significantly increases in CPK following both MOPP and CAMMIE trials. Lastly, there was a linear increase in both post-exercise CPK, and delta CPK when compared across 0, 25, and 50% work loads. No difference was found, however, between MOPP and CAMMIE trials. These results suggest that significant skeletal muscle damage occurs when carrying backpack loads of greater than or equal to 50% of body weight. Furthermore, the magnitude of increase in CPK is linearly related to intensity of work. Keywords: Chemical defense; Creatine; Phosphokinase; CPK; Sustained operations; Pack loads; Lactate dehydrogenase; Cammie; MOPP.

The effects of the M17A2 gas mask on respiratory function was evaluated using standard pulmonary function test measurements. Marine volunteers (58 males, 8 females) performed forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) maneuvers with and without the mask. The subjects were randomly assigned to be tested in the mask or the control condition first. The mask had significant effects on almost all the volumes and flows measured. There was a decrement of 200 ml in the mean FVC (p=.002) and in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV2, p=.001). The forced expiratory volume in .5 second FEV.5 dropped from 58 to 54% of the total FVC (p=.007), but the other proportional relationships were not changed. Higher baseline flows were correlated with greater drops in flow when the mask was worn (r=.64, p<.001). Mean MVV dropped by 24 liters (15%) (p<.001) in the masked condition. Females dropped their FEV1s by 17%, while males dropped by only 4% (p=.003), with similar nonsignificant trends on other measures. Unlike the overall group, smokers did not show a significant drop in FEV.5, FEV1, the enforced expiratory volume in 3 seconds or the forced expiratory flow rate during the middle half of the breath. Keywords: Operational effectiveness.

Volunteer U. S. Marine Corps personnel (24 males and 8 females) participated in a randomized crossover design experiment studying effects of the M17A2 gas mask on speed and accuracy of performance in a series of non-exercise computer controlled tasks. A test of a simple reaction time (SRT) showed small decrements in speed of response (mean mask reaction time 254 vs no mask 238 msec, p=.007; fastest mask reaction times 178 vs no mask 171 msec, p=.009). A task requiring the subject to rapidly alternate between pressing two buttons showed a small decrease in the number or presses achieved per session (1268 vs 1320, p=.045). A more complex reaction time task, visual vigilance, and logical reasoning showed no changes in speed or accuracy when the mask was worn. When the male and female data were analyzed separately, the effects on SRT were only significant among females, while the effects on TRAP were only significant in males. Females also showed a decrement in the slowest responses in the complex reaction time task.

Twenty-four U. S. Marine Corps personnel performed computer controlled tasks during 12 one hour periods, with and without full chemical warfare protective gear. Decreased speed and accuracy was found in the performance of various tasks. Most of these changes were present within the first four hours of testing. Many more changes were seen than in a previous study where the M17A2 mask was used alone in a four hour protocol. The results suggest that chemical protective clothing may interfere with performance even in sedentary activities and that the predominant problem comes from factors other than the mask.