Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Definition

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents certain rights regarding their children's education records. It applies to all schools that receive federal funding and is crucial in maintaining the confidentiality of student information, ensuring that special educators can support students while respecting their rights and privacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. FERPA grants parents the right to inspect and review their child's education records, allowing them to understand their child's academic progress.
2. Schools must obtain written consent from parents before disclosing any personally identifiable information from a student's education record, with some exceptions for certain situations.
3. Students become 'eligible' under FERPA when they turn 18 years old or attend a school beyond high school, at which point the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the students.
4. FERPA requires schools to inform parents and eligible students of their rights under the law, including how they can file complaints if they believe their rights have been violated.
5. Violations of FERPA can lead to the loss of federal funding for educational institutions, emphasizing the importance of compliance with privacy regulations.

Review Questions

• How does FERPA influence the responsibilities of special educators in managing student information?
  • FERPA sets clear guidelines on how special educators must handle student education records, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality. Special educators must ensure that they obtain parental consent before sharing any personally identifiable information about students. This means that while they are working to support students' unique needs, they must also prioritize students' privacy and rights, making it essential for them to be knowledgeable about FERPA requirements.
• Discuss the implications of FERPA when it comes to students with disabilities and their families accessing educational records.
  • FERPA plays a vital role in ensuring that families of students with disabilities can access important educational records. This access is crucial for parents to monitor their child's progress and advocate for necessary services. However, special educators must balance this right with the need for confidentiality, ensuring that any discussions about a student's records happen in compliance with FERPA regulations. By understanding these implications, educators can better support families in navigating their rights under FERPA.
• Evaluate the impact of FERPA on educational practices and policies in schools serving students with special needs.
  • FERPA significantly impacts educational practices and policies in schools by mandating strict privacy protocols regarding student records. This law requires schools to establish clear procedures for obtaining consent and sharing information only when necessary. For schools serving students with special needs, this means implementing additional training for staff on confidentiality issues and developing policies that empower families while safeguarding student information. By fostering a culture of respect for privacy, schools can enhance trust between families and educators, ultimately leading to better support for students with disabilities.

Related terms

Educational Records: Records that contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational institution or a person acting on its behalf.

Consent: A legal term referring to the permission given by parents or eligible students for schools to disclose educational records.

Directory Information: Information contained in a student's education records that is not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed, such as name, address, and phone number.