By Audience: Researchers

The resources on this page are intended for researchers, or any other party conducting research using FERPA-protected information. Resources here focus on proper disclosure avoidance techniques and proper methods for de-identification and suppression of Students’ Personally Identifiable Information from education records.

Guidance

Videos

The A-B-C's of Student Directory Information

FERPA allows schools and districts to designate certain basic student information as directory information, and share that information without consent if certain additional requirements are met. This video describes why a school would want to use designated student directory information and the types of information that fall into this category. It also explains the process that schools and districts must adhere to when designating directory information.

Guidance

SPPO response to Louisiana on Enrollment Data and Disclosure Avoidance

Letter to the Louisiana State Superintendent of Education answering questions relating to protecting student privacy in public reporting. The document addresses the U.S. Department of Education’s practices and recommendations to States on how to protect privacy when publicly reporting enrollment data.

Guidance

Written Agreement Checklist

This document lists mandatory requirements for written agreements under the studies exception and the audit or evaluation exception, as specified in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Guidance

Case Study #1: High School Feedback Report

This case study illustrates a scenario where a State educational agency creates high school feedback reports using the audit or evaluation exception under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Guidance

Case Study # 3: Enforcement

This case study illustrates a scenario where the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) investigates an alleged violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, resulting in SPPO imposing a 5-year ban on sharing education data with the offending party.

Best Practices

FERPA Exceptions Summary - Large

The various exceptions to FERPA can be confusing and difficult to track. The FERPA Exceptions Summary is intended to be a handy visual aid to help identify, at a glance, what FERPA exception applies to the data sharing work you are trying to do. Please find the standard version of this resource here: FERPA Exceptions Summary - Standard

Best Practices

FERPA Exceptions Summary - Standard

The various exceptions to FERPA can be confusing and difficult to track. The FERPA Exceptions Summary is intended to be a handy visual aid to help identify, at a glance, what FERPA exception applies to the data sharing work you are trying to do. Please find the large version of this resource here: FERPA Exceptions Summary - Large

Guidance

Recorded Webinars

Disclosure Avoidance and Limiting Access to PII - November 2012

This webinar covers guidance and best practice relating to the topic of disclosure avoidance.

Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions - Disclosure Avoidance

This document is intended to provide general guidance to State and local educational agencies and institutions about the best practice strategies for protecting personally identifiable information from education records in aggregate reports. The paper provides suggestions on how to ensure that necessary confidentiality requirements are met, including compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The information is presented in the form of responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs), followed by a list of additional resources at the end.

Guidance

Data De-identification: An Overview of Basic Terms

This document is intended to assist educational agencies and institutions with maintaining compliance with privacy and confidentiality requirements under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by reviewing basic terminology used to describe data de-identification as well as related concepts and approaches.

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