What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives a parent the right to access their child’s educational records and the right to use those records to file a complaint with the Department of Education if needed (but note that FERPA typically only protects the privacy of public school records). Note that once your child turns 18, you as the parent won't have this right anymore unless your child signs documentation granting you access.

FERPA also helps protect your child's privacy; it is basically HIPAA, but for school. FERPA means that school staff can't disclose personal information about your child.

To learn what educational records are and are not covered by FERPA, as well as how to request your child's records from the school, see our article Requesting Your Child’s Education Records.