Glossary > Privacy > Educational Privacy > Student Data Privacy

FERPA

FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law in the United States that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents the right to control who can access their child's educational information and ensures that schools maintain the confidentiality of these records.

Example #1

If a parent requests access to their child's school records under FERPA, the school must provide them with the information while respecting the student's privacy rights.

Example #2

FERPA also prohibits schools from disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) of students without consent, except in certain specified circumstances.

Misuse

One example of misuse of FERPA could be a school releasing a student's academic grades to a third party without the parent's or student's consent. This is a serious violation of privacy as it exposes sensitive information without authorization. It's crucial to prevent such misuse to protect students from potential identity theft or unauthorized use of their personal data.

Benefits

A key benefit of FERPA is that it safeguards student privacy and empowers parents to control the flow of their child's educational information. For example, FERPA allows parents to review their child's educational records, request corrections if needed, and limit the disclosure of certain information, ensuring confidentiality and data security.

Conclusion

Understanding and upholding FERPA is vital for maintaining trust between educational institutions, students, and parents. By respecting privacy rights and implementing FERPA regulations, educational organizations can create a secure and transparent environment that protects student data.