What is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are: (1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day Friendship PCS receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school principal or other appropriate school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. (2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask Friendship PCS to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate. If Friendship PCS decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing. (3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. FERPA authorizes disclosure without prior consent to officials and teachers within the school or agency who have a legitimate educational interest and other K-12 schools or school systems to which the student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled as well as post secondary institutions to which the student seeks to enroll. In the above instances the student’s educational records can be disclosed without prior consent based on the reason that the person or agency to which the records are being disclosed have a legitimate educational interest. 4) FERPA also authorizes disclosure of directory information unless the parent or student over the age of 18 notifies the school in writing that they do not wish for directory information to be disclosed without prior consent. Directory information includes: Student Name; Mailing Address and Telephone Listing Photograph Date and Place of Birth Participation in Officially Recognized Activities and Sports Weight and Height of Members of Athletic Teams Honors and Awards Received Major Field of Study Dates of Attendance and Enrollment Status Most recent prior school of attendance (5) The right to file a Complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged violations of FERPA by contacting the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202. Parents or eligible students may instruct Friendship PCS to withhold any or all of the information identified above by completing the “Release of Student Directory Information Form,” available upon request in writing within one month after the first day of the school year.
