FERPA, also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a US federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It requires educational institutions receiving federal funds to annually notify students of their rights to access, amend, and consent to disclose their records. FERPA applies to all schools that receive federal funding, including K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions. It defines directory and non-directory information and restricts disclosure of personally identifiable information without student consent. Landmark court cases have established that FERPA violations do not result in private rights of action but can lead to a loss of federal funding for noncompliant schools.

1. FERPA William Allan Kritsonis, PhD