What Is FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)?
A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents rights regarding their children's records.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law enacted in 1974 that protects the privacy of student education records. It applies to all schools that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education — which includes virtually all public schools and most private institutions.
Under FERPA, parents have the right to inspect and review their child's education records, request corrections, and control the disclosure of personally identifiable information. When a student turns 18 or enters postsecondary education, these rights transfer to the student.
For teachers, FERPA means being careful about sharing student information. You cannot discuss a student's grades, behavior, or IEP with unauthorized individuals. Digital tools used in the classroom should be FERPA-compliant, meaning they don't store or share personally identifiable student data without consent.
Related Terms
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
A legally binding document that outlines specialized instruction, goals, and services for a student with a disability under IDEA.
504 Plan
A plan that provides accommodations for students with disabilities to access general education, protected under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
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