What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Enacted in 1974, FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding.

Key Principles:

• Privacy Protection: Students and parents have the right to control access to educational records
• Access Rights: Parents and eligible students can inspect and review educational records
• Amendment Rights: Parents and eligible students can request corrections to inaccurate records
• Consent Requirements: Schools must obtain written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information

Who is Protected?

FERPA protects students who are currently enrolled or were previously enrolled in an educational institution, regardless of age or grade level.