Understanding FERPA: What Information Can and Cannot Be Disclosed?
As a student or parent of a student, it’s important to understand the security measures in place to protect your academic information. One such measure is FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. FERPA is a federal law that restricts the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from students’ educational records without their consent.
In this article, we’ll delve into the details of FERPA and what information can and cannot be disclosed under its provisions.
What is FERPA?
FERPA is a federal law that was enacted in 1974 to protect the privacy of students’ education records. The law applies to all schools that receive federal funding, such as public, private, and charter schools, as well as colleges and universities. FERPA gives parents of students under the age of 18 and eligible students who are 18 and above the right to access and control their education records, including the right to request corrections to inaccurate or misleading information.
What information can be disclosed under FERPA?
Under FERPA, schools can disclose a student’s education records without their consent in certain circumstances such as:
1. Directory information: Schools may share directory information, such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, and email address. However, schools must provide notice to parents and eligible students and allow them the opportunity to opt-out of the release of directory information.
2. Legitimate educational interest: Schools may disclose education records to other school officials who have legitimate educational interests in the information. For example, disclosing grades to a teacher who needs to understand a student’s academic history to provide appropriate support.
3. Health and safety emergencies: Schools may disclose education records to appropriate parties in health and safety emergencies, such as sharing information with law enforcement agencies about a potential threat to public safety.
What information cannot be disclosed under FERPA?
FERPA prohibits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records without the student’s consent except in specific circumstances laid out under FERPA. Such information includes:
1. Grades: Schools are generally not allowed to disclose a student’s grades or academic transcripts without their consent.
2. Disciplinary records: Schools must obtain written consent from the student before disclosing disciplinary records.
3. Personal information: Schools cannot disclose a student’s social security number, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity without consent.
Conclusion
Education records contain sensitive information about a student’s academic progress, health, and wellbeing, and it is essential to protect this information. FERPA is a robust federal law that safeguards their personal information, providing students and eligible parents access and control over their educational records. Schools must ensure they comply with FERPA to safeguard their students’ privacy interests.
In summary, understanding FERPA is essential for students and parents as it empowers them to access and control their educational records actively. By protecting personal and academic information, FERPA ensures an individual’s privacy rights are maintained, promoting an effective and successful educational experience.
