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Understanding FERPA in Higher Education

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It governs how and when institutions can share student information.

Glossary Terms
Term
Description
FERPA

A federal law that grants students control over their education records and restricts disclosure without consent.

Directory Information

Information that may be released without consent unless the student opts out (e.g., name, major, graduation status).

Consent Form

A document signed by the student authorizing the release of their records to third parties.

Legitimate Educational Interest

The requirement that only authorized personnel access student records for official academic duties.

FERPA Block

A student-initiated request to withhold all directory and non-directory information.

Data Breach

Unauthorized access to protected education records, which may trigger FERPA violation protocols.

Evolving Privacy Practices

Institutions are implementing stricter data governance policies and FERPA-compliant analytics systems. With increasing reliance on digital platforms, staff training and role-based access control have become essential.