If you work in or with educational institutions, the term “FERPA compliance” should be a guiding principle in your data handling practices. If you’re new to the education sector, it’s important to understand the critical role this law plays in protecting student privacy.
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects identifiable information in students’ education records from unauthorized disclosure. This law allows parents the right to access their child’s education records, to seek to have the records amended, and to have some control over the disclosure of identifiable information. When a student turns 18 or enters a post-secondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student.
FERPA requires the secure and confidential handling of personally identifiable information (PII) in students’ education records, including any data that can directly or indirectly identify a student.
PII under FERPA goes beyond just grades or disciplinary records. It also covers names, current and former addresses, dates of birth, student ID numbers, and even metadata or aggregate data that could reasonably identify a student when combined with other available information.
Safeguarding student data
In an increasingly digital world, schools and districts often rely on partnerships with outside providers to handle certain online or software services, such as:
- Student information systems
- Instructional improvement systems
- Online education programs or apps
- Assessment systems
By entering a contract with an educational institution, each of these outside providers is under the same obligation to protect the students’ PII under FERPA. Whether you’re a school, district, or third-party service provider acting on their behalf: compliance with FERPA is mandatory.
Governmental requirements can be tricky to navigate, but our System and Organizational Controls (SOC) team can help you understand your responsibilities and implement the right safeguards to protect the education records and PII in your care.
When you get a SOC report, you certify the quality of your commitment to student privacy. This brings peace of mind to students and families while ensuring you uphold your obligations under FERPA. Check out our SOC FAQ for more details on SOC reporting and compliance.
To ensure your management understands the reporting process, allow us to help you prepare your first SOC report through a SOC Readiness Assessment – a process resembling an open-book test for compliance. We’ll work with you on your schedule to identify new policies and procedures you may need to pass your first SOC audit.
Whether you need a full SOC report or consulting to see how your current internal controls measure up, contact us today and let us support your efforts to maintain trust and ensure full compliance with FERPA requirements. As always, we’re here to help.
