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Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) | Protecting Student Privacy
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class="content-area"> <header role="banner" id="page-header"> <div class="col-sm-12 full-width-bar"> </div> </header> <!-- /#page-header --> <div class="main-container container"> <div class="row main-content"> <section class="col-sm-9"> <div class="actions"> </div> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="region region-content"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <section id="block-system-main" class="block block-system clearfix"> <article id="node-21" class=" clearfix" data-history-node-id="21"> <div class="intro"> <div class="col-sm-6"> <header> <h1> <span>Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</span> </h1> </header> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 copy"> <div class="summary"></div> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This section houses all guidance documents, training materials, policy letters and other resources directly related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The FERPA regulations can be found <a href="https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-regulations-ferpa">here</a>.</p> </div> <section> </section> <ul class="links inline list-inline"><li class="comment-forbidden"><a href="/user/login?destination=/comment/reply/node/21/comment_node_topic%23comment-form">Log in</a> to post comments</li></ul> </div> </div> </article> </section> <section id="block-exposedformresources-by-topicblock-resources-by-topic" class="block block-views contextual-links-region clearfix test22"> <form action="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" method="get" id="views-exposed-form-resources-by-topic-block-resources-by-topic" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div> <div class="views-exposed-form"> <div class="views-exposed-widgets form--inline form-inline clearfix"> <div class="views-exposed-widget"> <div class="views-widget"> <div class="form-item js-form-item form-type-select js-form-type-select form-item-resource-type js-form-item-resource-type form-group"> <label for="edit-resource-type" class="control-label">Resource Type</label> <div class="select-wrapper"><select data-drupal-selector="edit-resource-type" class="form-select form-control" id="edit-resource-type" name="resource_type"><option value="All" selected="selected">- Any -</option><option value="1">Best Practices</option><option value="2">Guidance</option><option value="3">Letters</option><option value="4">Online Training Modules</option><option value="5">Recorded Webinars</option><option value="6">Videos</option></select></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-exposed-widget"> <div class="views-widget"> <div class="form-item js-form-item form-type-select js-form-type-select form-item-audience js-form-item-audience form-group"> <label for="edit-audience" class="control-label">Audience</label> <div class="select-wrapper"><select data-drupal-selector="edit-audience" class="form-select form-control" id="edit-audience" name="audience"><option value="All" selected="selected">- Any -</option><option value="1">Early Childhood Educators</option><option value="2">Education Technology Vendor</option><option value="3">K-12 School Officials</option><option value="4">Parents and Students</option><option value="5">Postsecondary School Officials</option><option value="6">Researchers</option></select></div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" class="form-actions form-group js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-actions"><button data-drupal-selector="edit-submit-resources-by-topic" class="button js-form-submit form-submit btn-info btn" type="submit" id="edit-submit-resources-by-topic" value="Apply">Apply</button><div class="ptac-reset"><a href="test">Reset</a></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </form> </section> </div> </section> <div class="col-sm-12"> <div class="region region-content-bottom"> <div class="views-element-container block block-block" id="block-views-block-resources-by-topic-block-resources-by-topic"> <div class="form-group"><div class="view view-resources-by-topic view-id-resources_by_topic view-display-id-block_resources_by_topic js-view-dom-id-a9a60a9054fb89bcbf8abfc0dbe3d32910f9d12a123bc821e7b710260ae2e50f"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-499" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="499"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Letters</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/cover-letter-departments-annual-notices-seas-and-leas"> <span>Cover letter to the Department’s annual notices to SEAs and LEAs</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Department of Education (Department) is required to notify annually each State educational agency (SEA) and each local educational agency (LEA) of its obligations, as a recipient of Department funds, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). This is the cover letter to the Department’s annual notices to SEAs and LEAs.</p> </div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" hreflang="en">Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/legal-references" hreflang="en">Legal References</a></div> </div> </div> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2022-11-01T12:00:00Z">November 2022</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/FERPA_annual_letter_2022.pdf"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-496" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="496"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Guidance</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/parent-guide-family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-ferpa"> <span>A Parent Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA provides certain rights for parents regarding their children’s education records. This guide provides general information on a parent’s rights under FERPA.</p> </div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" hreflang="en">Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</a></div> </div> </div> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2021-07-09T12:00:00Z">July 2021</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/A%20parent%20guide%20to%20ferpa_508.pdf"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-727" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="727"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Best Practices</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/may-schools-disclose-information-about-cases-covid-19"> <span>May Schools Disclose Information about Cases of COVID-19?</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Schools across the nation are working hard to keep students, teachers, and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many schools are wondering whether the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows them to disclose information about cases of COVID-19 to the community. The Student Privacy Policy Office provided answers to these questions in our March 2020 guidance. Subsequent to issuing the guidance, we have seen reports that states, cities, school districts, and schools are continuing to face questions about disclosing COVID-19 cases.</p></div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" hreflang="en">Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</a></div> </div> </div> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2020-09-24T12:00:00Z">September 2020</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/Blog%20post%209-24-20.pdf"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-568" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="568"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Guidance</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/improving-effectiveness-and-efficiency-ferpa-enforcement"> <span>Improving the Effectiveness and Efficiency of FERPA Enforcement</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Department is committed to protecting student privacy. To provide more timely and effective assistance to parents and students and to address a recommendation made by the Department’s Office of the Inspector General to “implement a risk-based approach to processing and resolving FERPA complaints,” the Department is modifying its investigatory practices to more efficiently address and resolve complaints and violations under FERPA. </p> </div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" hreflang="en">Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</a></div> </div> </div> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2018-12-20T12:00:00Z">December 2018</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/FERPA_Enforcement_Notice_2018.pdf"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-559" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="559"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Guidance</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/technical-assistance-student-privacy-state-and-local-educational-agencies-when"> <span>Technical Assistance on Student Privacy for State and Local Educational Agencies When Administering College Admissions Examinations</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The administration of college admissions examinations by SEAs and LEAs raises potential legal issues under FERPA, IDEA, PPRA, and State privacy laws, and generally raises concerns about privacy best practices. In particular, the pre-test surveys administered in connection with these exams raised privacy concerns that SEAs and LEAs must consider when contracting with the testing companies. This document discusses the legal issues, and advises SEAs and LEAs about how to remain in compliance when administering the tests. The document also conveys best practice recommendations to encourage transparency and parental involvement.</p> </div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/data-sharing" hreflang="en">Data Sharing</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" hreflang="en">Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</a></div> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/protection-pupil-rights-amendment-ppra" hreflang="en">Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)</a></div> </div> </div> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2018-05-22T12:00:00Z">May 2018</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/TA%20College%20Admissions%20Examinations.pdf"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-706" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="706"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Best Practices</div> <div class="field--item">Guidance</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/sppo-guidance-list"> <span>SPPO Guidance List</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The list of resources contained in this Excel spreadsheet includes all “guidance documents” issued by the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO). As a general matter, guidance documents are statements of general applicability, intended to have future effect on the behavior of regulated parties, that set forth a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue; or an interpretation of a statute or regulation.</p></div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2024-09-06T12:00:00Z">September 2024</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/SPPO%20Guidance%20List_3.xlsx"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-777" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="777"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Best Practices</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/top-10-cybersecurity-tips-teachers"> <span>Top 10 Cybersecurity Tips for Teachers </span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This printable infographic provides simple tips for increasing cybersecurity readiness, cyber-awareness, and strategies to help teachers and school administrators recognize and defeat cyber threats and protect students’ and staff privacy.</p> </div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/security-best-practices" hreflang="en">Security Best Practices</a></div> </div> </div> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2024-07-05T12:00:00Z">July 2024</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/Top%2010%20Cybersecurity%20Tips%20for%20Teachers_508_v3.pdf"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-776" class="node node-resource-document node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="776"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Letters</div> </div> <h2><a href="/resources/letter-bienstock"> <span>Letter to Bienstock </span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This letter is in response to an inquiry regarding the point at which a student is considered "in attendance" for the purposes of FERPA.</p> </div> <footer> <div style="width:61%; float:left;"> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/findings-letters" hreflang="en">Findings Letters</a></div> </div> </div> <span style="float:right; text-transform:uppercase;"> <div class="field field--name-field-date field--type-datetime field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Date</div> <div class="field--item"><time datetime="2024-06-21T12:00:00Z">June 2024</time> </div> </div> </span></div> <div style="width:39%; float:left;"> <a class="download-btn btn btn-primary" target="_blank" href="/sites/default/files/resource_document/file/Bienstock%20Letter%20103023B_508.pdf"></a><div> </footer> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-451" class="node node-training node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="451"> <div class="inner-wrap"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Guidance</div> <div class="field--item">Online Training Modules</div> </div> <h2><a href="/training/ferpa-101-colleges-universities"> <span>FERPA 101: For Colleges & Universities</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This interactive computer-based training course introduces learners to the basics of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as it applies to colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions.</p> </div> <footer> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" hreflang="en">Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</a></div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </article></div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-452" class="node node-training node-teaser contextual-links-region clearfix" data-history-node-id="452"> <div class="inner-wrap"> <header> <div class="field field--name-field-resource-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field--items"> <div class="field--item">Online Training Modules</div> </div> <h2><a href="/training/ferpa-101-local-education-agencies"> <span>FERPA 101: For Local Education Agencies</span> </a></h2> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This interactive computer-based training course introduces learners to the basics of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as it applies to K-12 schools, districts and local education agencies.</p> </div> <footer> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field--label">Topics</div> <div class="field--items"> <div class="field--item"><a href="/topic/family-educational-rights-privacy-act-ferpa" hreflang="en">Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)</a></div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </article></div> </div> <nav class="pager-nav text-center" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="pagination-heading"> <h4 id="pagination-heading" class="visually-hidden">Pagination</h4> <ul class="pagination js-pager__items"> <li class="pager__item is-active active"> <a href="?page=0" title="Current page" aria-current="page"> <span class="visually-hidden"> Current page </span>1</a> </li> <li class="pager__item"> <a href="?page=1" title="Go to page 2"> <span 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class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-496" class=" clearfix" data-history-node-id="496"> <header> <h3><a href="/resources/parent-guide-family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-ferpa"> <span>A Parent Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</span> </a></h3> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA provides certain rights for parents regarding their children’s education records. This guide provides general information on a parent’s rights under FERPA.</p> </div> </article></div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-497" class=" clearfix" data-history-node-id="497"> <header> <h3><a href="/resources/eligible-student-guide-family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-ferpa"> <span>An Eligible Student Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</span> </a></h3> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA provides certain rights for parents regarding their children’s education records. When a student reaches 18 years of age or attends an institution of postsecondary education at any age, the student becomes an “eligible student,” and all rights under FERPA transfer from the parent to the student. This guide provides general information on an eligible student’s rights under FERPA.</p></div> </article></div> <div class="views-row"> <article id="node-712" class=" clearfix" data-history-node-id="712"> <header> <h3><a href="/resources/protection-pupil-rights-amendment-ppra-general-guidance"> <span>Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) General Guidance</span> </a></h3> </header> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p>This guidance document reviews parents’ rights under the PPRA and education officials’ obligations in implementing the PPRA. The PPRA applies to the programs and activities of a State educational agency (SEA), local educational agency (LEA), or other recipient of funds under any program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. (20 U.S.C. § 1232h, 34 CFR Part 98)</p> <p><span style="font-size:0px;">SPPO-21-01</span></p> </div> </article></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </aside> <!-- /#sidebar-second --> </div> </div> </section> <section class="footer"> <footer class="footer container"> <div class="region region-footer"> <section id="block-menu-menu-footer-menu" class="block block-menu contextual-links-region clearfix"> <h2 class="visually-hidden" id="block-edu27-edu25-menu-menu-footer-menu-menu"></h2> <ul class="menu menu--menu-footer-menu nav"> <li class="expanded dropdown col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12 active active-trail first"> <span class="navbar-text dropdown-toggle active-trail">Resources <span class="caret"></span></span> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li class="first"> <a href="/ferpa" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/548">Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/legal-basics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/56">Legal Basics</a> </li> <li> <a 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