The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law in the United States that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA gives parents and eligible students certain rights, including the right to inspect and review their education records, the right to request changes to their records, and the right to consent to disclosure of their records.
FERPA was enacted in 1974 and is also known as the Buckley Amendment. The law applies to all educational institutions that receive funding from the US Department of Education, including public and private schools, colleges, and universities.
Some of the key provisions of FERPA include:
- The right to inspect and review education records
- The right to request changes to education records
- The right to consent to disclosure of education records
- The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education
- The requirement that schools provide annual notice to parents and eligible students of their rights under FERPA
FERPA also sets forth certain exceptions to the general rule that education records may not be disclosed without consent. These exceptions include:
- Disclosure to school officials with a legitimate educational interest
- Disclosure to other schools to which the student is transferring
- Disclosure to authorized representatives of the US Department of Education
- Disclosure in connection with a student’s application for financial aid
- Disclosure to accrediting organizations
- Disclosure to parents of a dependent student
Overall, FERPA is an important law that helps to protect the privacy of students and their education records.
In addition to its provisions regarding the disclosure of education records, FERPA also requires schools to maintain certain records and to provide certain notices to parents and eligible students. For example, schools must maintain a record of all disclosures made from a student’s education record, and must provide annual notice to parents and eligible students of their rights under FERPA.
Overall, FERPA is an important law that helps to protect the privacy of students and their education records. By understanding the provisions of FERPA and the exceptions to the general rule that education records may not be disclosed without consent, parents and eligible students can help to ensure that their rights are protected.
What is FERPA and what does it do?
+FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents and eligible students certain rights, including the right to inspect and review their education records, the right to request changes to their records, and the right to consent to disclosure of their records.
What are some of the exceptions to the general rule that education records may not be disclosed without consent?
+Some of the exceptions to the general rule that education records may not be disclosed without consent include disclosure to school officials with a legitimate educational interest, disclosure to other schools to which the student is transferring, and disclosure to authorized representatives of the US Department of Education.
How can I request access to my education records under FERPA?
+To request access to your education records under FERPA, you should submit a written request to your school or educational institution. The request should identify the records you wish to inspect and review, and should be directed to the appropriate school official.
In conclusion, FERPA is an important law that helps to protect the privacy of students and their education records. By understanding the provisions of FERPA and the exceptions to the general rule that education records may not be disclosed without consent, parents and eligible students can help to ensure that their rights are protected.
