What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Students’ Rights and Privacy of Student Records

Pursuant to CAC Title 5, Section 54604 and subsequent sections, students may request an opportunity to inspect any and all official school records, files, and data related to the student. If information in the file is inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate, the student may request removal of the information, or include a statement disputing the material that he/she challenges.

Other provisions of the law restrict the people who have access to the information in student records. School personnel with legitimate educational interests, schools of intended enrollment, specified federal and state educational administrators, or those who provide financial aid are entitled to access without the student’s consent. Access may also be obtained without student consent pursuant to court order. Parents of minors do have access. Parents of non-minor students do not have access, except when written permission is received from the student.

What are parents’ rights under FERPA? 

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.  Parents of non-minor students do not have access to student records, except when written permission is received from the student.

For more information please visit the Department of Education’s FERPA Information or Palomar College’s Enrollment Services FERPA information.