The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA, is the United States federal law that protects student records privacy review and disclosure rights. The law guarantees these rights for both current and former UCF students. Educational Records are considered confidential. Under most circumstances records will not be released without written and
signed consent of the student. FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include: Educations records include (but not limited to): grades, class schedule, test scores, academic standing, and academic transcripts. These records may not be released to anyone but the student and only then with the proper identification. The following is a non-comprehensive list of information items that FERPA does not consider as educational records and therefore are not subject to a student’s request for review:
HANDOUTSDirectory InformationSome information, called Directory Information, may be released to 3rd parties without the student’s prior consent, unless the student files a written request to restrict directory information access. Directory Information is considered the following:
Students have the right to withhold the release of the preceding items by logging into myUCF, navigating to Student Self Service > Student Center > Personal Information, and clicking on the link for FERPA/Directory Restriction. Note: for information to appear on your transcripts and diploma when you graduate, you must rescind the information hold before you graduate. Non-Directory Information (Personally-Identifiable Information)Additionally, FERPA specifies that UCF faculty and staff in most circumstances may not disclose non-directory information about students or release educational records to 3rd parties without receiving written and signed consent. Circumstances do exist, however, under which UCF may release personally identifiable information or educational records without students’ knowledge or consent. Non-directory information includes any data or information that includes the student’s name, parent’s name, other family members, and the student’s social security number or student identification number (UCFID). Additionally, any list of personal characteristics or other information that would make the student’s identity traceable is not allowed to be disclosed without consent. Information on FERPA training can be found here.
Can faculty or staff post grades outside their office?According to FERPA, student grades must not be released or made available to third parties. UCF policy restricts instructors from posting grades in classrooms, or on Websites unless the student’s identity is concealed by a secure password-entry interface (i.e., myUCF). More information is available on the myUCF Grades pagelet. Faculty and staff may post grades by doing the following:
Can students give permission for teachers, advisors, etc. to talk to parents about grades and other parts of their educational record?Students can authorize the release of their records in two ways:
Do parents have the right to see education records?Under FERPA the rights transfer from the parents to the student once they turn 18 years old or enter a postsecondary institution at any age. Although the rights under FERPA have now transferred to a student, a school may disclose information from an “eligible student’s” education records to parents, without consent, if the parent claims the student as a dependent for tax purposes in the last tax year. Neither the age of the student nor the parent’s status as a custodial parent is relevant. Given that we cannot authenticate the identity of someone over the phone, the Registrar’s Office would relay to parents (who have met the above criteria) the information asked for in a face-to-face meeting, preferably in the student’s presence as well as a member of the Registrar’s Office professional staff.
If I feel my rights have been violated, how can I file a complaint?If you have concerns or believe your rights under FERPA may have been violated, please contact the Registrar’s Office by emailing with the subject line “FERPA Concern.” Students also have the right to file a complaint under FERPA by doing so in writing to the Family Policy Compliance Office, sending pertinent information through the mail, concerning any allegations to the following address:
To whom can UCF disclose without written consent?
Who must receive FERPA training?All faculty and staff who handle educational and identification information for students, including class rosters and grades, are required to complete training. What is an example of directory information that can be disclosed?Typically, "directory information" includes information such as name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and dates of attendance.
Which is not example of directory information?Directory information does not include a student's social security number or student identification (ID) number (unless certain safeguards are in place).
Which of the following items can never be identified as directory information?Directory Information can never include: Social security number. Student identification number. Race.
What are the most common Ferpa violations?FERPA violations and consequences. Emailing protected student information to everyone in the class.. Including social security numbers on shared documents.. Posting grades and identifying information in public.. Publicly disclosing a student athlete's academic status.. |