The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a legislation that mandates schools to maintain the confidentiality of student records. These records can only be disclosed to specific individuals, such as parents or teachers who require access. FERPA is also commonly referred to as the Buckley Amendment.
FERPA, also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a legislation that establishes guidelines for the management of student records in schools and colleges. Its main purpose is to safeguard the confidentiality of student education records and grant parents and eligible students specific rights to access and control such records. One of the rights granted by FERPA is the ability for parents to review their child’s educational records and request corrections for any inaccuracies. Additionally, FERPA mandates that schools obtain written consent from parents or eligible students before disclosing any personally identifiable information from these records. It is important to note that FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, encompassing public schools, colleges, and universities. Consequently, FERPA ensures the privacy of student records regardless of the educational institution they attend.
FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
FERPA gives parents and eligible students the right to access and request amendments to their education records, as well as control over the disclosure of their records.
An eligible student is a student who has reached the age of 18 or is attending a postsecondary institution.
Education records include any records directly related to a student and maintained by an educational institution or by a party acting on behalf of the institution.
Parents can access their child’s education records if the child is a dependent for tax purposes, or if the parent obtains written consent from the student.
Schools can disclose education records without consent in certain circumstances, such as to school officials with legitimate educational interests or in response to a court order.
Yes, students have the right to request the amendment of their education records if they believe the records are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights.
Schools that violate FERPA risk losing federal funding, and individuals who knowingly disclose education records in violation of FERPA may face criminal charges.
Schools must comply with a request for access to education records within 45 days of receiving the request.
FERPA does allow for certain exceptions, such as the disclosure of directory information or in cases of health and safety emergencies.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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