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No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
Section 9528: ARMED FORCES RECRUITER ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION.
Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Students and Student Recruiting Information 1
Within the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002, is a provision which stipulates that any secondary school that receives federal assistance must provide "on a request made by military recruiters or an institution of higher education, access to secondary school students names, addresses, and telephone listings."2
Notes:
1. Title of Section 9528 of the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2001
2. Part of Section 9528(a) (1)
Opt-Out of Military Recruiting lists now available at Rochester
Effective with the 2006-07 school year, the Rochester School District has implemented policy to allow high school students and parents to withhold their contact information from military recruiters. The information previously was given to recruiters upon request as required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. A little known provision of the act also requires that schools allow students and parents to Opt Out of having their information released. Opt Out forms are available in the school office and from a local area peace group, www.peace4all.org, which provides conscience objection counseling and information on recruiting issues. Opt-Out forms should be filed with the building principal starting with the freshman year.
Rochester Times, November 30,2006
Hey You in High School
Don’t want to learn to kill or be killed? Can’t blame you. Who really does! OPT OUT while you have the chance and protect your future.
For a Rochester, IL CUSD3A Opt Out form
Available from student services 217/498-9761, Ext. 2100 or 2106, also see information that was added to the student handbook.
This new policy was approved to begin with the 2006-2007 school year.
The Rochester Superintendent of Schools has confirmed that the form will be made available starting in 9th grade and for bookkeeping purposes one filing will suffice through graduation. The form includes separate check-offs to opt out of the military recruiting listings OR from college mailing lists. The Opt Out form may be filed in any school year beginning with 9th grade and unless rescinded in writing will be effective through graduation. An original signed copy should be filed with the building principal. Suggest you keep a copy, it can assist in documenting a history of conscientious objection in case of a military draft.
It is never too soon to start your portfolio.
For a Springfield,IL #186 Opt Out form
The District #186 Opt Out form was revised at the end of the 2005-2006 school year to provide separate check-offs to opt out of either military recruiting OR college mailing listings. Erroneously, the Springfield form previously only had one check-off that opted you out of both listings!
Our Purpose
To help protect our privacy and future. Everyone deserves the right to make an informed decision and to have peace in knowing that they will not be targeted by military recruiters if they do not wish to be so contacted due to action by their school.
Reason
The only reason that colleges are involved with the military recruiting listing issue is that the federal No Child Left Behind act (NCLB) has linked them together in section 9528 of the act. Most people have no issue with institutions of higher learning sending them information.
On Military Recruiting and Schools
The federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) passed in 2002, states that schools must release lists of student contact information to military recruiters OR institutions of higher learning upon request. Most students and parents are unaware their information is being released.
While there is no issue with colleges receiving this information, there is with recruiters.
National radio commentator, columnist and author Jim Hightower, in an article published in the Illinois Times states that “without parents’ giving permission or even being informed…the information includes such sensitive data as grades, ethnicity, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, and cell phone numbers. Already the Pentagon has built secret profiles on 30 million youngsters. This database allows recruiters for the four military branches to target, talk with, and hustle your kids into a war..… without your consent or knowledge.” You may however, legally request that your file be suppressed.
The NCLB act only requires that name, address, and telephone number be given out. Obviously this is where it begins, and your profile in the pentagon database is then built.
Opt Out proves popular
In April 2006, neatoday magazine (of the National Education Association) reported that Portland, Maine 698 of 1341 students opted out of giving their information to military recruiters. Web reports from around the country indicate the percentage of those choosing to opt out is as high as 80 to 90 some percent!
Now what to do
Opt Out, and help spread the word to other students and parents. Make contact with a local counselor, find out what level of conscientious objection (C.O.) you hold and start collecting documentation for your portfolio. This documentation becomes vitally important if you are drafted and do not wish to learn to kill or be killed. Find out how to make registering for the draft at age 18 one opportunity to officially state that you are a C.O.
This website disseminates information concerning the above mentioned aspects of the No Child Left Behind Act; provides information about alternatives to military service; and assistance in counseling to local central Illinois parents and youth in regards to the necessary steps to legally Opt Out of having personal information relayed to recruitment personnel.