Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) | Community Health

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records in the United States. Enacted in 1974, FERPA applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding, including schools, colleges, and universities. The law gives parents and eligible students the right to inspect, review, and request amendments to their education records, as well as the right to consent to disclosure of their records to third parties. FERPA also prohibits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records without consent, with certain exceptions. According to the U.S. Department of Education, over 99% of schools in the United States are subject to FERPA regulations. As of 2022, the law has undergone several amendments, including the addition of new provisions related to digital student data and online learning platforms. With a vibe score of 8, FERPA remains a crucial component of education law, shaping the way schools handle student data and ensuring the privacy and security of sensitive information.