The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents and students over the age of 18 certain rights with respect to their education records, including the right to inspect, review, and control the disclosure of their education records. FERPA applies to all institutions that receive federal funding and is a crucial component of safeguarding the privacy of student education records.
What is FERPA and Who Does it Apply To?
FERPA is a federal law that was enacted and has been amended several times since. It applies to all institutions that receive federal funding, including public and private elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and other educational institutions. FERPA gives students and their parents the right to inspect and review their education records, as well as to control the disclosure of their education records.
The Rights of Parents and Students Under FERPA
FERPA gives both parents and students the right to inspect and review their education records. This means that they have the right to access their records and to receive a copy of their records if they request it. Additionally, FERPA gives parents and students the right to control the disclosure of their education records, which means that they can choose who can access their records and what information can be disclosed.
The Consequences of Violating FERPA
Institutions that violate FERPA face serious consequences, including the loss of federal funding. Additionally, they can be subject to legal action, including lawsuits and fines. For this reason, it is important for institutions to be aware of FERPA and to ensure that they are in compliance with the law. This includes ensuring that all staff is trained on FERPA, that all policies and procedures related to FERPA are in place, and that all students and their parents are informed of their rights under FERPA.
Conclusion:-
FERPA is an important federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
Institutions that violate FERPA face serious consequences, including the loss of federal funding and legal action, making it important for institutions to be aware of and in compliance with FERPA.
