Understanding FERPA: Non-Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student records. While it’s essential to understand FERPA in its entirety, this article focuses on non-directory information and its implications for education stakeholders.
Introduction
FERPA is designed to ensure that students’ educational records are kept confidential and that only authorized individuals have access to them. The Act covers various types of information, including non-directory information. The main objective of this article is to explain what non-directory information is, how it differs from directory information and why it’s important to handle non-directory information carefully.
What is Non-Directory Information?
Non-directory information is educational data that cannot be disclosed without the student’s written consent. Such information is also referred to as confidential information or personally identifiable information (PII). It includes academic records such as grades, transcripts, disciplinary records, financial aid records, health records, and more. Other PII includes a student’s name, address, social security number, and dates of attendance.
Directory Information vs. Non-Directory Information
Directory information is a category of student educational data that FERPA permits institutions to disclose to the public. Items such as student names, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of attendance, and degrees earned are examples of directory information. Unlike non-directory information, this type of data can be disclosed without the student’s consent- though the student has the right to opt-out of such disclosures.
However, it’s essential to note that although directory information can be disclosed, it still falls under FERPA guidelines. Institutions must have policies and procedures in place to determine the student directory information to be disclosed publicly and provide the student with the option to opt-out of directory disclosures.
Why it’s Important to Understand Non-Directory Information?
Educational records contain sensitive information that should not be shared without a valid reason or the student’s consent. Non-directory information, in particular, contains personal data that, if mishandled, can lead to devastating consequences. Institutions can be held liable in case of disclosure of non-directory information, and students can sue for damages as well.
Additionally, institutions that violate FERPA regulations can face penalties such as loss of federal funding, damage to their reputation, and legal action.
Conclusion
FERPA is a vital law that protects student privacy and confidentiality. Non-directory information is a category of confidential data that must be handled with utmost care. Institutions should ensure the confidentiality of the information by educating their staff members, implementing policies and procedures, obtaining written consent from students, and limiting the access to this data only to authorized individuals. By doing so, they can avoid legal, financial, and reputational issues.
In conclusion, every individual involved in handling educational data should be familiar with FERPA regulations to ensure that they comply with the law and protect students’ privacy. Non-directory information is a crucial part of the law, and institutions must handle it carefully and confidentially.
