What is FERPA?
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also called Buckley Amendment) back bone is that if policies are not in place to protect educational records then the feds can withhold funding.
What is an educational record?
Records, files, documents that (i) contain info directly related to a student and (2) are maintained by an educational institution.
Does not protect records: maintained by law enforcement; where person is staff and student but records maintained relate primarily to employment status; or records maintained by doctor/psychiatrist in the course of treatment.
What right does FERPA give students?
Students may:
- Inspect and review educational records (must have access at all times).
- Request amendment of education records.
- Consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable info in a student records.
- Obtain a copy of the school’s Student Records Policy.
- File a FERPA complaint with the US Department of Education for violations.
Limitations on Administrators:
- may not improperly disclose personally identifiable student information,
- decide whether or not to authorize release of a students’ records (student has the exclusive right to decide),
- give over information to anyone who wants it: If a third party outside the educational agency permits access to information in violation or fails to destroy information in violation, the educational agency shall be prohibited from permitting access to information from education records to that third party for a period of not less than five years.
When do Administrators Have Access?
o Have legit educational interest and need info to fulfill official responsibilities
o Official for school where student wants to enroll
o Federal and state educational authorities (Texas Department of Education)
o School where student has applied for financial aid
o Accrediting agencies (Board of Law Examiners)
o Parents of dependent students (parents must sign form)- not true after student turns 18 or is enrolled at postsecondary institution.
o Emergency situations- health or safety of student must be threatened.
o Dean of Student’s Office (disciplinary proceedings, etc.)
What about Directory Information?
At Tech the default is to release this info. However, a student can request that info not be released.
- Registrar’s Office for printed campus directory (also via TechSIS)
- eRaider for on-line campus directory
What is Directory information?
Includes the following: the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.
Important Links:
US Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/index.jsp
TTU Student Affairs Handbook: http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/CampusLife/handbook.pdf
Tech Support Laws & Policies Info: http://www.itts.ttu.edu/documentation/laws/lpc3.html#111