What does FERPA protect?

FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law that specifically safeguards the privacy of students’ educational records. This means that it grants parents and eligible students the right to access these records, request amendments, and control the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained within them. Educational records encompass a wide range of documents, including grades, transcripts, class schedules, and any records maintained by the school related to students.

In contrast, while student health records are often protected under laws like HIPAA, and student financial information can be covered under laws such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, FERPA’s primary focus is solely on educational records. Student personal belongings, on the other hand, are not covered by FERPA, as the law addresses records created and maintained by educational institutions rather than physical belongings. Thus, the accurate choice reflects the specific scope of FERPA’s provisions in protecting educational records.