Special Education and the Law for Parents

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly known as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Students have specific, protected rights regarding the release of such records and FERPA requires that institutions adhere strictly to these guidelines. Therefore, it is imperative that the faculty and staff have a working knowledge of FERPA guidelines before releasing educational records. Educational records as defined by F.E.R.P.A. are those records, with certain exceptions, that are maintained by Plattsburgh State University , which include a student's name or students' names on them. These include files, documents, and materials in any medium (i.e. electronic, handwritten, print, tapes, film, microfilm, microfiche), which contain information directly related to students and from which students can be individually identified.

 

As a parent of a special education student or a professional serving the needs of special education student, it is imperative that you have the ability to gain access to any new changes in the laws that govern your work. At NAPCSE, we provide all members with an extensive and comprehensive site that covers the most up-to-date information on special education and the law.

 

The topics listed are individual websites that can be accessed only by members of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE).  If you are not a member of NAPCSE, and would like to join, click here to register. Members of NAPCSE, please log in above (member login and password) to activate these, and all other websites, in our database. 

• FERPA Quiz
• Get Access To Your Child's Educational Records
• Legally reviewed summary of FERPA (the Buckley Amendment).
• Model Notification of Rights under FERPA for Postsecondary Institutions
• Overview of FERPA
• Overview of FERPA
• Overview of FERPA
• Report of the Committee on Changes (FERPA)
• The Impact of FERPA and HIPAA on Privacy Protections for Health Information at School: Questions from Readers
• What Do I Do When…The FERPA Answer Book for Higher Education Professionals
• Why Doesn't UConn Send My Children's Grades?
• Release of Student Directory Information and Disclosure of Student Records
• The Other Health Privacy Law: What FERPA Requires of Schools

FAQ about FERPA (Overview of frequently asked questions regarding FERPA-From the University of North Texas)

• What is FERPA?
• What are and are not education records?
• What are parental rights under FERPA?
• What is directory or public information?
• What information can we release without student consent?
• What are 2 basic steps to comply with the law?
• What documents does a student not have a right to see?
• What are institutional policy and notification requirements?
• What can happen if we fail to follow the law?
• What if I have a question on what can or cannot be released under FERPA?

FERPA Slide Show Presentation

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) slide show presentation from The University of Connecticut.