Legal References | Protecting Student Privacy

Letters

Cover letter to the Department’s annual notices to SEAs and LEAs

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.

Guidance

An Eligible Student Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

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.

Best Practices

FERPA/IDEA Crosswalk

This document is a side-by-side comparison of the legal provisions and definitions in IDEA Part B, IDEA Part C and FERPA. It is intended to help differentiate these statutes and provide a comparisons for the shared definitions.

Guidance

FERPA Model Notification of Rights for Elementary & Secondary Schools

This document is a template notice for school districts notifying parents and eligible students (students over 18 years of age or attending a school beyond the high school level) about their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Guidance

PPRA Model General Notice of Rights

This document is a template notice for school districts notifying parents and eligible students (students over 18 years of age or attending a school beyond the high school level) to inform eligible students about their rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).

Guidance

FERPA Model Notification for Postsecondary Officials

This document is a template notice for postsecondary institutions to use in informing eligible students about their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Guidance

Model Notice for Directory Information (En Espanol)

This document is a template notice for notifying parents and eligible students (students over 18 years of age or attending a school beyond the high school level) about the type of information from student’s education records, designated by a School District as “directory information,” that schools may disclose without consent, unless advised to the contrary. This version is the Spanish translation.

Guidance

Model Form for Disclosure to Parents of Dependent Students

This document is a template for postsecondary institutions to use for eligible students to consent to the disclosure of PII from educational records to their parents.

Guidance

Model Form for Disclosure to Parents of Dependent Students and Consent Form for Disclosure to Parents

This document is a template for postsecondary institutions to use for eligible students to consent to the disclosure of PII from educational records to their parents.

Guidance

FERPA General Guidance for Parents (En Español)

This compliation of letters and guidance documents provides parents with general information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This document is a compilation and update of various letters and guidance documents previously issued that respond to a variety of questions about FERPA. This is the spanish translation.

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