FERPA: Protecting Student Privacy in Education

  FERPA: Protecting Student Privacy in Education The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law enacted in 1974 that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA grants parents and eligible students certain rights regarding the access and disclosure of these records. This essay will explore the key provisions of FERPA and discuss its impact on education. FERPA provides parents with the right to access and control their child's educational records until the child reaches the age of 18 or attends an institution of higher education. Once students reach the age of 18 or begin attending post-secondary education, these rights transfer to the student themselves. This ensures that parents or eligible students have the ability to review and request changes to inaccurate or misleading information in their educational records. One of the primary impacts of FERPA on education is the protection of student privacy. Under FERPA, educational institutions are prohibited from disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) from a student's education records without obtaining written consent from the student or parent. This means that schools must obtain permission before releasing any sensitive information to third parties, including grades, disciplinary records, and personal details. FERPA also establishes limitations on the sharing of student records within educational institutions. Schools are required to have policies and procedures in place to protect the security of student records and ensure that only authorized individuals have access to them. Additionally, FERPA allows students to control the disclosure of their directory information, which includes items such as name, address, and phone number. Furthermore, FERPA has had a significant impact on the use of student data for research and statistical purposes. While FERPA allows for the disclosure of de-identified data that cannot be used to personally identify students, it sets strict guidelines to safeguard student privacy. Researchers must adhere to specific protocols and obtain appropriate approvals before accessing and using student data for research purposes. In recent years, with the advancement of technology and the increasing use of electronic systems in education, FERPA has become even more relevant. Educational institutions are now required to take additional measures to protect electronic student records from unauthorized access or breaches. In conclusion, FERPA plays a crucial role in safeguarding student privacy in education. By granting parents and eligible students certain rights regarding access and control over educational records, FERPA ensures that sensitive information remains confidential. This law has had a significant impact on education by establishing guidelines for the security and privacy of student records, regulating the sharing of information within educational institutions, and protecting student data used for research purposes. FERPA's influence on education continues to be paramount in an era where data privacy and protection are of increasing concern.  

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