What is the main purpose of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) primarily serves to protect the privacy of student education records. This federal law grants parents certain rights regarding their children's education records and ultimately transfers those rights to the students once they turn 18 years old or attend a school beyond high school. Under FERPA, educational institutions are required to obtain written consent from parents or eligible students before disclosing personally identifiable information from education records, ensuring that sensitive information about students is safeguarded.

This focus on privacy aligns with the growing need for confidentiality in educational settings, where a variety of personal and academic information is collected and maintained. Institutions must comply with FERPA regulations to protect students' rights and avoid potential consequences, which can include the loss of federal funding. Understanding this law is crucial for anyone involved in educational administration, as it directly impacts how student information is managed and shared.