Safeguards for Educational Records - Essay Example

Safeguards for Educational Records The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protect the privacy educational records. The law applies to those students who are in schools that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education. When the student reaches the age of 18, those rights transfer from the parent to the student. Certain conditions apply when providing the student’s records to divorced parents, grandparents, foster parents, step-parents, and in parent-teacher conferences.

Student RecordsA student’s educational records are pertinent information that is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. If a student’s educational records appear incorrect, parents or eligible students have the right to review their educational records and request for changes to be made when appropriate. If the school disagrees to changing the student’s records, the parent or eligible student has a right to a formal hearing to discuss the matter. Divorced ParentsDivorced parents must provide custody information that is set forth from the court order.

In cases where the parents are divorced, the courts may order for one of the parents to have full custody of the student. In this instance, the parent who has lost his or her custody may not have written permission to access the student’s educational records. In this situation, I will require the parent to provide documentation before the student’s educational records are released.GrandparentsGrandparents must provide a written statement that grants them permission to access the student’s records.

Grandparents will be required to provide me with documentation for permission to access the student’s educational records. If the grandparents have custody of the student, I will require grandparents to provide a written statement that shows proof of custody.Foster ParentsFoster Parents must provide the proper documentation for the student before the student’s information is released to them. The foster parents must prove that they have guardianship over the student. As a teacher, I will keep an updated copy of the current foster parent of the student to protect the student’s safety and educational records.

Step-parentsStep-parents need permission from the student’s parent/legal guardian to discuss the student’s educational records with the step-parent. I will implement a system that requires the step-parent to provide proof of legal marriage to the student’s parent. As a safety measure, I will keep an updated copy of the step-parent authorization form to review the student’s records.Parent-Teacher ConferencesBefore discussing the student’s records, I will make sure that the adult present for the parent-teacher conference has permission to discuss or review the student’s records.

During the parent-teacher conference, I will also determine if the parent has a clear understanding of the procedures in the event that the parent chooses to request for the student’s records to be changed. I will make sure that the parent understands that he or she can schedule a formal hearing if the school chooses not to change the student’s records. Conclusion With the change in the family dynamics, it is important for teachers to know when it is appropriate to release the student’s information.

It is important for schools to implement a plan to conceal student records from unauthorized individuals. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) help to enforce the privacy of the student’s educational records and alleviate unauthorized individuals from obtaining access to the student’s educational records.Works CitedElectronic Privacy Information Center. Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment). Retrieved April 27, 2011, from http://epic.org/privacy/education/ferpa.htmlU.S.

Department of Education. (2011). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Retrieved April 27, 2011, from http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html