Our elementary school typically uses an opt out program. We get all the information electronically from the school, edit out any school level "withhold info" requests, and give the parents ample opportunity to elect NOT to be in the directory.
Our middle school does an opt in directory where they send forms home and only enter those returned. I'm not sure of the percentage, but I imagine it's less than half.
Of the two, I prefer the "opt out". It makes for a much more robust directory.
I've helped with the directory for the last 3 or 4 years. We've tried various methods of proofing, including posting a master. The most efficient solution was to create a simple merge form/letter for each child to take home that displays EXACTLY their informaiton as it will appear in the directory and allows them to return the form with any changes. Merging isn't that hard, and it was much less time intensive than any other method, and gave us the most accurate directory ever.
Many of our members want to create an all-school directory that would list the student's name address phone number and parent's name. I'm wondering if it is better to have parents sign an "opt-out" form or have them fill out the form with only the information that they would like to have included. If anyone has a form that they use and would like to share it, I would greatly apprciate it!