FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. It 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.
Key Components of FERPA
FERPA is composed of several key components, including the right to inspect and review education records, the right to request changes to education records, and the right to consent to disclosure of education records. The law applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, including elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities.
FERPA Rights
Under FERPA, parents and eligible students have the right to inspect and review their education records. This includes the right to access their records, as well as the right to request explanations and interpretations of the information contained in their records. Eligible students also have the right to request changes to their records, and to consent to disclosure of their records to third parties.
| FERPA Right | Description |
|---|---|
| Right to Inspect and Review | The right to access and review education records |
| Right to Request Changes | The right to request changes to education records |
| Right to Consent to Disclosure | The right to consent to disclosure of education records to third parties |
Key Points
- FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- FERPA protects the privacy of student education records
- Parents and eligible students have the right to inspect and review their education records
- Eligible students have the right to request changes to their records and to consent to disclosure of their records
- FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding
FERPA has undergone several changes since its enactment in 1974. The law has been amended to clarify and expand the rights of parents and eligible students, and to provide greater protections for student education records. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Education issued new regulations under FERPA, which provided additional guidance on the law's requirements and protections.
FERPA and Educational Institutions
FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, including elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities. These institutions must comply with FERPA’s requirements, including providing parents and eligible students with access to their education records, and obtaining consent before disclosing their records to third parties.
FERPA Compliance
FERPA compliance requires educational institutions to establish policies and procedures for managing student education records. This includes designing and implementing procedures for accessing, reviewing, and disclosing education records, as well as training staff and faculty on FERPA’s requirements and protections.
FERPA also requires educational institutions to provide annual notice to parents and eligible students of their rights under the law. This notice must include information on the procedures for accessing and reviewing education records, as well as the procedures for requesting changes to education records and consenting to disclosure.
What is FERPA and how does it protect student education records?
+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.
Who is covered under FERPA?
+FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, including elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities. Parents and eligible students who attend these institutions are covered under the law.
What are the key components of FERPA?
+The key components of FERPA include the right to inspect and review education records, the right to request changes to education records, and the right to consent to disclosure of education records.
In conclusion, FERPA is an important law that protects the privacy of student education records. By understanding their rights under FERPA, parents and eligible students can ensure that their education records are accurate, complete, and protected from unauthorized disclosure. Educational institutions must comply with FERPA’s requirements, including providing parents and eligible students with access to their education records, and obtaining consent before disclosing their records to third parties.
