The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966 and is cited as Title 5 of the United States Code, Section 552 (5 U.S.C. 552), and generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. It was amended in 1986 and 1996 by what are commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Reform Act and Electronic FOIA (EFPOA), respectively. The FOIA provided a "right of access" to Federal records that are reasonably described unless they fall within one of the statute's exemptions. The FOIA can be used by anyone regardless of citizenship, and the requester is not required to show need or purpose. All requests must be in writing, and even if responsive material falls within an exemption, it may be disclosed at the agency's discretion unless another law prohibits disclosure.
The FOIA Reform Act and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations established a uniform schedule of fees for all agencies. Fees are limited to reasonable standard charges for document search, duplication, and review, when records are requested for commercial use. Requesters are categorized and may only be charged the fees applicable to that category.
The Privacy Act (PA) of 1974 (Public Law 93579) 5 U.S.C. 552a has been in effect since September 27, 1975. The purpose of the PA is to balance the government's need to maintain information about individuals with the rights of individuals to be protected against unwarranted invasions of their privacy stemming from federal agencies' collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal information about them.
To submit a PA request, you must be a U.S. citizen and be a legally admitted alien. The request must be in writing, include your SSN and signed. PA records are maintained in a PA systems of records notice. The "systems of records" is defined as "a group of records under the control of a DoD Component from which information is retrieved by the individual's name or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individuals." (i.e., SSN, ID number, etc).
Procedures for filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and Privacy Act (PA) request with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) are as follows:
If your FOIA request was initially denied in whole or in part, the final FOIA response letter advising you of the denial will also advise you of your right to appeal the determination within 60 days. If you wish to make an appeal you must file your appeal with the correct appellate authority within sixty (60) days. The appellate authority for DoDEA is the Defense Freedom of Information Policy Office. This information, including an address, will be located on all final FOIA response letters that are denied in whole or in part.
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Department of Defense Education Activity
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Requester Service Center
4800 Mark Center Dr.
Alexandria, Virginia 22350-1400
foia@hq.dodea.edu
Fax: (571) 372-5829
DoDEA's FOIA Requester Service Center is the initial point of contact for FOIA requesters to receive status updates and appropriate information about their requests at DoDEA.
Any requesters which have concerns about the service they are receiving from the FOIA Requester Service Center can raise their concerns with our FOIA Public Liaison, Mr. Jim Hogan. He can be reached by telephone at (571) 372-0462 or via e-mail at foia_liaison@dod.mil.
Section (a)(2) of the FOIA provides for what is commonly referred to as “reading room” access. It applies to certain basic agency records that, while not automatically published under (a)(1) of the Act., must be made “available for public inspection and copying” in agency reading rooms.
In compliance with Section (a)(2) provisions of the FOIA:
5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(A) Records – Final opinions and orders made in the adjudication of cases that may be cited, used, or relied upon as precedents in future adjudications:
5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(B) Records – Statements of policy and interpretations that have been adopted by the agency and are not published in the Federal Register:
No pages meet the criteria |
5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(C) Records – Administrative staff manuals and instructions, or portions thereof, that establish DoD policy or interpretations of policy that affect the public:
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Issuances (DoDEA Regulations; Administrative Instructions; Manuals; Forms; Guidance; DoD Directives, Regulations, and instructions; and links).
5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(2)(D) Records Records released to the public, under the FOIA, that are or will likely become the subject of subsequent requests: