A student can include a statement in their academic record if it differs from what the institution has decided. This has to show up in all transcripts.
Once deceased, a student's records are not subject to FERPA.
FERPA allows educational institutions to define certain information as "Directory Information," which can be disclosed without the student's consent. However, students have the right to opt-out or restrict the disclosure of their Directory Information.
Because FERPA has so many dimensions, I think it's crucial to provide employee training and monitoring. I think that a key component of adhering to and appropriately applying FERPA is offering comprehensive training to recently hired staff members and regularly updating training sessions.
It is interesting that FERPA rights end at death.
Comment on Joyce Hladky's post:
Totally agree!
FERPA is about the student's rights and ultimately protecting both the student and their private information, along with protecting the institution by keeping records secure.
It is important to know students' rights related to educational records and rules regarding accessing student records as an instructor.
FERPA requires faculty training to best protect student's privacy and education rights/records
Appeal committees are typically made up of administrative and academic representation
It is important to train employees on the proper way to maintain the security, confidentiality, and integrity of student information to support the code of conduct.
Institutions should employ best practices from other industries when it comes to protecting sensitive information.
A person's educational record is protected under FERPA until they die. Even after they die, there are only select people who can request access to the file.
FERPA rules do not apply to students/graduates when they die.
I appreciate knowing that an institution has 45 days to respond for requests for student records. It's nice to know we don't have to feel rushed to provide them the day they are requested.
You would be surprised faculty members who believe because they are faculty they should have access to any information they want regarding a student when this is not the case. Majority of the time it is never to be malicious. They trying to investigate to overcome any obstacles the students might be having in the classroom, but such actions could also be violating the students privacy. It’s a fine line between assisting the students with overcoming obstacles versus violating their privacy.
I think it is interesting how FERPA's rules regards a student's right to their academic records mirrors a patient's right to their medical information.
It's important that the expectations for student privacy and policies of protection of privacy are clear from the very beginning of employment to avoid any incidences where private information is left unattended.
I have learned about students rights to access their own educational information following ferpa guidelines, including scenarios where there may be a hold on a students account, and how to handle the situation while protecting both the student and institution.
There are many aspects of student records to consider. It is important to have this sort of training to understand how to handle the requests that are made for student records by lots of different entities everyday.
