What is FERPA, Anyway? And Why is it Important?
by Ann Rossbach, Independent Educational Consultant
FERPA is a federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ) that affords students the right to have access to their education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information. As part of the college application process, students (and parents if the student is not yet 18) are normally asked to waive theses rights by signing a waiver. Once this is done, high school seniors do not have access to their counselor’s and teachers’ letters of recommendation that are sent to the college where they matriculate.
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Don’t fret! This action actually makes the recommendation process smoother. It allows the writer to mention parts of a student’s educational record, like GPA and grade. It sends a message to colleges that you trust whoever has written the letter to be honest, and it also moves the application process along, as the student and parent aren’t reading the letters first. Colleges also prefer the waiver, and students send a message to colleges that they are secure in their teacher and counselor relationships.
FERPA’s significance is important once your son or daughter is in college as well. It is one more aspect of the “letting go” for parents of college-bound students. Grades, GPA and class schedules will not be given out to anyone – including you, the parent, once your child turns 18.
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Lafayette College believes that FERPA is a way for students to be in control of their own education. “We seek to teach students to become mature, reasoned, educated adults capable of defining and realizing their academic and personal developmental goals. The College encourages students to act responsibly by communicating directly with their parents.” So, as a parent, will you ever see grades? That is one of those fierce conversations you should have with your son or daughter. The time to do that is now, before the semester begins.
