FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law in the United States that protects the privacy of students' education records. It grants parents rights to access and review their child's educational information, and to request corrections if needed. Once a student turns 18 or attends a postsecondary institution, these rights transfer to the student. FERPA restricts schools from disclosing personally identifiable information without consent, ensuring that students' academic records remain confidential. Compliance is crucial for educational institutions to maintain trust and protect student privacy.