Know Your Rights
Learn more about the laws and regulations in place to protect students in America.
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Disclaimers:
*The regulations covered are at the federal level. There might be additional state and local regulations in place to protect students.
*This webpage was developed with assistance from phind.com.
FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Here are some key points for parents and educators to keep in mind:
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FERPA applies to all schools that receive federal funding, including public schools and most private schools.
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Under FERPA, parents have the right to access and review their child's education records, and schools must provide this access within 45 days of the request.
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Parents also have the right to request that schools correct any inaccurate or misleading information in their child's education records.
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Schools must obtain written consent from parents before disclosing any personally identifiable information from a student's education records, except in certain limited circumstances such as health and safety emergencies or when the information is being shared with school officials who have a legitimate educational interest.
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Schools may disclose "directory information" about a student, such as name, address, and phone number, without consent, but must provide parents with notice of this policy and allow them to opt out if they wish.
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FERPA also applies to postsecondary education records, but once a student turns 18 or attends a postsecondary institution, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student.
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It's important for parents and educators to understand FERPA and how it affects the privacy of student education records. Schools must take steps to ensure that they are in compliance with FERPA, and parents should be aware of their rights under the law. Additionally, schools may have their own policies and procedures related to privacy and confidentiality, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with these as well.
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Overall, FERPA is designed to protect the privacy of student education records and give parents certain rights related to accessing and reviewing these records. While there are some exceptions to these rights, schools must generally obtain written consent before disclosing any personally identifiable information from a student's education records. By understanding FERPA and working with schools to ensure compliance, parents and educators can help protect the privacy of student information.
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) is an important piece of legislation that governs how schools can use student data and requires parental consent for certain activities. Here are some key points for parents and educators to keep in mind:
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The PPRA applies to any educational institution that receives funds from the U.S. Department of Education, including public schools and some private schools.
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The PPRA requires schools to obtain written consent from parents before requiring students to participate in any survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals sensitive personal information. This includes information about political affiliations, mental or psychological problems, and sexual behavior or attitudes.
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The PPRA also requires schools to notify parents of their rights under the law and to provide an opportunity to opt-out of certain activities.
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Schools must also notify parents if they plan to use personal information for marketing purposes or to sell the information to a third party.
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In addition to protecting student privacy, the PPRA also prohibits schools from requiring students to take part in any religious activities or surveys that ask about religious beliefs.
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If a school violates the PPRA, parents can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.
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Overall, the PPRA is an important law that protects student privacy and ensures that parents have a say in how their children's personal information is used. Educators and parents should familiarize themselves with the law's requirements and work together to ensure that students' rights are respected.
COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) is a law that protects the privacy of children under 13 years old while they're online. Here are some key points for parents and educators to be aware of:
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Websites and apps must get parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13.
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Personal information includes things like a child's name, address, email address, phone number, and location.
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Websites and apps must clearly state what information they collect from children and how they use it.
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Parents have the right to review and delete their child's personal information that has been collected online.
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Websites and apps must take reasonable steps to protect the security of children's personal information.
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Violating COPPA can result in fines of up to $42,530 per child.
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It's important to note that COPPA only applies to websites and apps that are directed at children or that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information from children under 13. However, some websites and apps choose to follow COPPA guidelines as a best practice for protecting the privacy of all users.
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Parents and educators can take steps to help protect children's privacy online:
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Be aware of what websites and apps children are using and what information they may be sharing.
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Use privacy settings and parental controls to limit the information that can be shared.
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Teach children about online safety and the importance of protecting their personal information.
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Encourage children to come to you with any concerns or questions about their online activities.
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Overall, COPPA is an important law that helps protect the privacy and safety of children online. Parents and educators should be aware of the law and take steps to ensure that children's personal information is being protected while they're online.