FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is an American federal law that governs how educational institutions protect student Education Records.
FERPA does this by:
- Outlining students' rights concerning their Education Records
- Establishing conditions for when student Education Records can be shared with third parties
In short, FERPA does three things:
1) Defines "Education Records"
2) Ensures students' rights to inspect their own Education Records and to request amendments to inaccurate information
3) Requires that university officials receive students' consent before disclosing student Education Records to third parties, unless an exception applies
According to FERPA, Education Records are those academic records, files, documents and other materials which (i) contain information directly related to a student and are (ii) maintained by an educational institution.
Education Records include:
- Academic transcripts including official documents related to grades
- Disciplinary Records
- Financial records, including those of a parent which pertain to a given student
FERPA defines "Directory Information" as information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.
Typically, Directory Information includes information such as name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and dates of attendance.
Under FERPA, Institutions and School Officials may disclose Directory Information to third parties without students' consent.
When Campuswire partners with an academic institution that is subject to FERPA, Campuswire agrees to be designated as a 'School Official' with 'legitimate educational interests' in student data as defined under FERPA. Academic institutions may share student data with School Officials without students' consent. Student data would include any student records provided through a school's use of Campuswire's Services. When Campuswire handles student education records, Campuswire agrees to abide by the limitations and requirements imposed by 34 CFR 99.33(a) in order to operate as a School Official.
Specifically:
- Campuswire will not disclose student data to any other third party without valid consent, and
- Campuswire will only use student data it receives from academic institutions for the purposes for which the disclosure was made.