What is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) primarily concerned with?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is primarily concerned with protecting the privacy of student education records. This federal law grants parents the right to access their children’s educational records, the right to request the amendment of those records, and the right to consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained within them. FERPA is critical in ensuring that educational institutions handle student information sensitively and in accordance with established privacy standards.

While promoting student involvement in educational policy, regulating school funding, and ensuring access to education are important aspects of the educational landscape, they are not the focus of FERPA. The act specifically addresses how educational records must be managed and the rights of parents and students regarding those records, thereby reinforcing the importance of safeguarding personal information in educational settings.