Office of Information Practices

U Memo 10-9
April 9, 2010
Grade Distribution Data

OIP was asked whether the University of Hawaii (UH) must disclose information regarding grade distributions for specific university classes identified by course number and instructor name in response to a request made under part II of the UIPA.

OIP found that UH must disclose data requested to the extent that it is public, but need not compile the data in the form requested if not readily retrievable in that form. In accordance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines, data may be withheld to the extent that it would allow identification of students in connection with their educational records with reasonable certainty. OIP also found that information that would allow identification of an instructor to a particular set of grades should generally be disclosed.