What Are Educational Records Under Ferpa?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Education records include a

range of information about a student that is maintained in schools in any recorded way

, such as handwriting, print, computer media, video or audio tape, film, microfilm, and microfiche.

What confidential educational records fall under FERPA?

The term “education records” is broadly defined under FERPA to mean those records that are directly related to a student and maintained by an

educational agency

or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution.

Which of the following are examples of education records protected by FERPA?

FERPA further defines an education “record” as “any information recorded in a way, not including,

but not limited to, handwriting, print, computer media, video or audio tape, film, microfilm, and microfiche

.” All electronic records and e-mails are covered by the term “computer media.”

Are alumni records considered educational records under FERPA?

Information about former students (i.e., alumni records) collected after the students have graduated from the institution

is not considered an education record

, so it is not protected by FERPA.

What is included in educational records?

These records include but are not limited to grades,

transcripts, class lists, student course schedules, health records

(at the K-12 level), student financial information (at the postsecondary level), and student discipline files.

What do educational records not include?


Personal notes made by teachers and other school officials that are not shared with others

are not considered education records. … Directory information may include a student’s name, address, and telephone number, and other information typically found in school yearbooks or athletic programs.

What is an example of an educational record?

Examples of educational records include:


grades / transcripts

.

student schedules

.

exams, papers, theses

, etc. student email.

What constitutes a violation of FERPA?


If a school denies access to student records to a parent of a student under the age of 18

, that’s a FERPA violation, Rooker points out. … If they don’t, they risk illegally denying someone their right to that information, or wrongfully giving a parent access.

When can FERPA release education records without consent?

Records may be released without the student’s consent: (1) to

school officials with a legitimate educational interest

; (2) to other schools to which a student seeks or intends to enroll; (3) to education officials for audit and evaluation purposes; (4) to accrediting organizations; (5) to parties in connection with …

What information is protected under FERPA?

FERPA classifies protected information into three categories:

educational information, personally identifiable information, and directory information

.

How long do schools keep records of students?

As a general rule of thumb, schools should keep temporary student information like attendance records for at least 5 years after a student no longer attends, and permanent records should be

kept for at least 60 years

.

Are emails education records under FERPA?


FERPA-protected data should never be sent via email

, as this is not a secure method of transmitting sensitive data. Restricted information such as grades, GPA, or personally identifiable information such as Social Security number should never be sent through email.

Can a school ask for medical information?

No,

a school cannot demand medical records

.

What records are not protected by FERPA?


Records that contain personally identifiable information about a student

, but are only on the computer. All paper records that contain personally identifiable information about a student. Faculty and staff personal records about the student that are not shared with others and that are not placed in the student’s file.

What is an example of directory information that can be disclosed without consent?

Some examples of information that MAY NOT BE RELEASED without prior written consent of the student include:

university ID number

.

Social Security number

.

birthdate

.

Who is eligible to look at a student’s records under FERPA?


Parents or eligible students

have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.