FERPA Basics
This federal law protects the privacy of student education records.
What is FERPA?
This document usually contains a student's course grades each term.
What is a transcript?
A student's phone number may be released if categorized as this.
What is directory information?
This is required before most student information can be shared.
What is written consent?
A student can request this if they believe their record is inaccurate.
What is an amendment?
Schools must provide annual notice informing students of their FERPA rights.
What is annual notification?
Employment records are excluded unless tied to this.
What is student status?
An example of directory information commonly includes this academic status measure.
What is a student's major (or enrollment status)?
Faculty accessing student records must demonstrate this need.
What is legitimate educational interest?
Grades should not be posted using this identifying information.
What is a student's name or ID number?
FERPA violations can result in loss of this type of funding.
What is federal funding?
This type of record includes things like GPA and transcripts.
What is education records?
A student can stop release of their directory info by doing this.
What is opting out / placing a FERPA hold?
This must be included in written consent: identity of recipient, purpose, and this.
What are the records to be disclosed?
Schools must allow students to review records within this timeframe.
What is 45 days?
FERPA rights transfer to students at this age.
What is 18?
Observing a student in class without recording information typically falls outside of FERPA because it is not this.
What is maintained record?
Posting grades by the last 4 digits of SSN is discouraged because it may still be this.
What is personally identifiable information (PII)?
Vendors may access student data only if they meet this requirement.
What is serving as a school official with legitimate educational interest?
Leaving graded papers where students can see others' scores is an example of this type of violation.
What is unauthorized disclosure?
Parents automatically lose FERPA rights when students reach this status.
What is becoming an eligible student?
This type of record is not covered by FERPA if kept solely for personal use.
What are sole possession notes?
Even confirming someone is a student can violate FERPA if this restriction exists.
What is a directory information hold (FERPA block)?
If a student is in danger, records can be released under this exception.
What is the health or safety emergency exception?
You receive a subpoena for records. Before complying, the school typically must do this first.
What is notify the student (unless legally prohibited)?