Schools gain victory in student-privacy case. (Government spotlight: education information from schools, business, research and professional organizations).

In a decision deemed a victory for education administrators, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that students cannot sue colleges, universities or K-12 schools that release grades or personal information. The specific case involved Ru Paster, a former student of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., who sued the school for releasing a school file to officials at a state education department, where he was being considered for a teaching job.

The file documented unproven allegations that Paster sexually assaulted another Gonzaga student. Paster was passed up for the education job, and his case claimed the potential employers rejected him because of the allegation. Paster's attorneys argued that Gonzaga violated Paster's rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Yet, the justices ruled 7-2 that FERPA, which does protect student privacy, does not grant the right for students to sue schools. Paster had won damages in previous cases against Gonzaga for defamation, invasion of privacy and negligence.