School & Education

Every year, schools must send a notice to parents and eligible students to inform them about their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA applies to any public or private elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school. Schools can satisfy this FERPA notice requirement in different ways. But, the notice must be reasonably likely to inform parents and eligible students of their rights. The notice must inform them that they have the following rights:

• To inspect and review the student's education records,
• To change any part of the files they think to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student's privacy rights,
• To consent to any disclosures of information that could identify them in the records. An exception is where FERPA allows disclosure without consent, and
• To file a complaint with the US Department of Education for violations of FERPA.

The notice must define the terms "school official" and "legitimate educational interest" and explain how the parents can inspect and review records. It also should explain the method for requesting any changes. The school is required to make sure FERPA notices can be understood by parents of students with disabilities and by parents who have a primary or home language other than English.