Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Definition

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents and eligible students certain rights regarding those records. It ensures that educational institutions maintain confidentiality while allowing parents and students to access and amend educational information. This act is critical in maintaining trust between schools, families, and students, emphasizing the importance of privacy in educational settings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, which includes public schools and most private colleges.
2. Parents have the right to inspect and review their child's education records until the student turns 18 or attends a school beyond high school.
3. Schools must inform parents and eligible students of their rights under FERPA annually through written notice.
4. Under FERPA, schools cannot disclose personally identifiable information without written consent from parents or eligible students, except in specific circumstances such as emergencies or legal subpoenas.
5. FERPA violations can lead to the loss of federal funding for educational institutions if they do not comply with the privacy regulations.

Review Questions

• How does FERPA empower parents and eligible students regarding their educational records?
  • FERPA empowers parents and eligible students by granting them the right to access, inspect, and review education records maintained by educational institutions. Parents can request amendments to these records if they believe any information is inaccurate or misleading. This law ensures that families have control over personal information while reinforcing the importance of transparency and accountability in educational settings.
• What are the consequences for educational institutions that fail to comply with FERPA regulations?
  • Educational institutions that fail to comply with FERPA regulations risk losing federal funding, which can have serious financial implications for schools. Violations can lead to investigations by the U.S. Department of Education, potential legal actions from affected families, and damage to the institution's reputation. Compliance with FERPA is essential for maintaining trust between schools and families while ensuring the protection of student privacy.
• Evaluate the impact of FERPA on student privacy rights in today's digital learning environment.
  • In today's digital learning environment, FERPA plays a crucial role in safeguarding student privacy rights as technology increasingly collects and stores educational data. The act sets clear guidelines on how student information should be handled by educational institutions and third-party service providers. As online learning platforms grow, it is vital for schools to navigate the balance between utilizing technology for education while adhering to FERPA’s requirements, ensuring that students' personal data remains secure from unauthorized access and misuse.

Related terms

Educational Records: Records that are maintained by an educational institution and contain information directly related to a student, including grades, transcripts, and disciplinary records.

Consent: An agreement that must be obtained from parents or eligible students before a school can disclose personally identifiable information from education records.

Directory Information: Information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed, such as a student's name, address, phone number, and date of birth.