The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

What is FERPA and how does it impact me as a student, but also as Teacher Assistant? I will discuss my role in protecting school records and identify a scenario that might occur. FERPA

The Family Educational ___ and ____ Act is a Federal law. Passed in 1974 Administered by the US Department of Education (USDOE) FEDERAL LAW

Provides parents with important rights regarding their student’s school records These rights transfer to the student at age 18. Turn and talk: How will your family react when they discover they cannot access your college grades once you turn 18? PURPOSE OF THE LAW

All educational agencies and institutions that receive federal funds. Marion County Public Schools receive federal money to feed students 2 meals each school day. MCPS also receive federal money to feed students during the summer. ROTC programs are federally funded WHAT AGENCIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAW?

…access the student’s educational records …have records amended …have control over the disclosure of “personally identifiable information” …file a complaint with the USDOE THE RIGHT TO…

“Educational records” Records that contain info directly related to a student Records which are maintained by an educational agency Grades, SSN, disabilities, counseling notes Turn and Talk: What other records are protected? WHAT RECORDS?

General information that applies to the student population Course syllabi Academic calendars Announcements NOT COVERED

Information obtained through observation Info obtained through personal knowledge Info heard orally from others UNLESS the school employee had an official role in generating the information and placing it in a protected record. Turn and Talk: What might I see or hear that I must protect? NOT COVERED

Professionalism dictates that only those with a “need to know” will be told. Turn and Talk: Does a cafeteria worker need to know about a student’s grades? Does the Clerk at student services need to know about a student’s discipline record? HOWEVER…

…provide a parent (or eligible student age 18 or over) an opportunity to inspect educational records …give this access within 45 days of the request …make copies if this is the only way a student can see the records SCHOOLS MUST…

In the Summary area: Develop a realistic scenario where you encounter a protected educational record while working in your mentor teacher’s classroom. Consider: How did you receive the information? How will you protect it? Save as: FERPA (last name) and upload to the wiki. IN MICROSOFT WORD