Thursday, May 30, 2013

How to File a Freedom of Information Request | The Network For Public Education

How to File a Freedom of Information Request | The Network For Public Education:

How to File a Freedom of Information Request

FOIBy Jonathan Pelto  (www.jonathanpelto.com)
When it comes to standing up to the education reform industry and their allies in state and local government, one of the most powerful tools for edu-bloggers and advocacy journalists is to utilize state-level freedom of information laws. Freedom of Information requests, or FOIAs, give us the power to see into the dark places.
While opponents to open government and honesty are hard at work trying to water-down sunshine laws across the country, most states still have relatively good laws on the books that ensure that citizens have the right to obtain public records. Here are some tips to help get you started. If you’d like more information, or need help filing a request, feel free to contact me at jonpelto@gmail.com.
What’s the best way to get started?
Although laws differ from state to state, start with your state’s Freedom of Information office, FOI laws generally