FERPA is the main law dealing with student privacy rights. It applies to students at all levels of education, from Pre-K through College. HOW it applies to students, and who has what rights, changes dramatically from High School to College however. Here's a quick run down of student privacy, parent's rights, and what to expect when you or a loved one makes the change from High School Student to College Student.

1. Student Privacy
Parent Rights
Benjamin J. Howard-Williams, MAEd
Last Updated: Nov. 7, 2013
benjaminjhw@gmail.com
www.strikingly.com/benjaminjhw

2. Student Privacy, Parent Rights
● What is FERPA & What Does it Mean?
● Who Has What Rights When?
● When Can a College Release Information &
Why Don't They?
● Parent: From Advocate to Advisor
● Additional Resources & Information

3. FERPA
F
E
R
P
A
amily
ducational
ights &
rivacy
ct of 1974
Goal: Protect Integrity of a Student’s Academic
Record & Protect Student’s Privacy

4. FERPA - What's Protected?
Confidential
● Student ID#
● Social Security #
● Grades
● Physical Location
● Enrollment History
● Student Conduct
This info can only be released with explicit,
written consent of the student or via an
appropriate legal request.

5. FERPA - What's Not Protected?
Directory Info
● Name
● Date of Birth
● Phone Number
● Email Address
● Mailing Address
● Enrollment Status
● Major / Area of Study
● Graduation Date
● Dates of Attendance
The student must explicitly
request this information to be
kept confidential.

6. Who Has What Rights When?
Pre-K thru 12th Grade
OR Age 18
Parent(s)
Post-Secondary
At ANY Age
Student

7. Exceptions
Dependent Children (as defined by IRS)
Authorized 3rd Parties
● Parent(s) may ACCESS student records.
● He/She/They do not CONTROL the student's
records.

8. “But I’m paying for it!”
An agreement to support
a student’s education is
made between the student
and his/her family.
The ultimate responsibility
for college success is the
student’s.
It’s his/her education.
It’s still the student’s education,
regardless of who pays.
An agreement between family and a
student IS NOT an agreement between
the family and the college.

9. When Can Colleges Release Info?
● Emergencies
● Drug/Alcohol Policy
Violations (under 21 only)
● Psychological
Well-Being Concerns
● Disciplinary Actions

10. Why Don't They?
● The College is not a
Parent.
● It is the student’s
education.
● Danger of FERPA
violation to the Student.
● Danger of FERPA
violation to the College.

11. FERPA Violations...
Images from top to bottom:
Sterling College, Paul Lowery, and Great Degree.
Located on Flickr. Used under a Creative Commons License.
Compromise student privacy and could lead
to identity theft, misuse of their information,
or a threat to their personal safety.
For employees, violations could result in
disciplinary action up to and including
termination of employment.
For the college, violations could jeopardize
eligibility to participate in the Federal
Financial Aid Program.

12. Parent: From Advocate to Advisor
● Discuss expectations
before classes start.
● Be explicit about lines
of communication.
● Speak with your
student, not for him/her.
● Remember: access is at
the student's discretion.

13. Additional Resources
General Information:
● FERPA Brochure
for Parents:
○ http://www2.ed.
gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/bro
chures/parents.pdf
● FERPA Brochure
for Colleges &
Universities
○ http://www2.ed.
gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/bro
chures/postsec.pdf
Specifics:
Your College
Registrar's Office

14. Bibliography & Photo Credits
http://findicons.com/files/icons/1700/2d/512/money.png

15. Author Information
Benjamin is an educator, student services
professional, and academic coach living in the
suburbs of Kansas City.
Benjamin is a member of the Kansas Association of
Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers
(KACRAO), the Kansas Association of Colleges and
Employers (KACE), and the National Association of
Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). In 2012,
he was awarded the Johnson County Community
College Rookie of the Year award and nominated for
the NASPA Region IV New Professionals Rising Star
award.
Beyond his professional role, Benjamin also guest
presents and teaches workshops around the Kansas
City area on a variety of subjects including College
Financial Aid basics and the value of a Liberal Arts
education in a 21st century job market.
For more information, visit:
www.strikingly.com/benjaminjh