Student Privacy Information
FERPA and PPRA
FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy rights of parents and students in education records maintained by educational agencies and institutions or by persons acting for such agencies or institutions. PPRA affords parents/guardians and students with rights concerning certain marketing activities, the administration or distribution of certain surveys to students, the administration of certain physical examinations or screenings to students, and parental access to certain instructional materials. The following resources may be helpful for students and their families.
Resources on FERPA, COVID-19, and virtual learning:
- FERPA and Virtual Learning During COVID-19; FERPA and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) FAQs; and May Schools Disclose Information about Cases of COVID-19? – provides information on the applicability of FERPA to COVID-19 related disclosures. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/covid-19
General guidance for parents on FERPA and PPRA:
- FERPA and Virtual Learning Related Resources – identifies resources that may be helpful in supporting virtual learning. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/ferpa-and-virtual-learning
- Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) General Guidance – provides plain-language guidance on PPRA for parents and students. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/protection-pupil-rights-amendment-ppra-general-guidance
- A Parent’s Guide to FERPA – provides plain-language guidance on FERPA for parents and eligible students. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/parent-guide-family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-ferpa-0
- Videos: FERPA’s Complaint Process Explained and What Happens When I File A Complaint? – provides a succinct overview of the SPPO complaint process. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint
- Video: What is the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment or PPRA? – provides a succinct description of PPRA. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/training/what-protection-pupil-rights-amendment