THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FERPA

SCHEDULE

MODULES

MODULE ONE

Introduction

  • Course objectives and outline
  • Background/history and basics
  • Overview of FERPA's structure

MODULE TWO

What Is an "Education Record?"

  • FERPA's "revisionist" history
  • Key Definitions:
    • "Record"
    • "Directly Related"
      • "Personally Identifiable"
    • "Student"
      • "Attendance"
    • "Maintained"
    • "Educational Institution"
  • Email and other examples

MODULE THREE

What Isn't an "Education Record?"

  • Key exclusions
    • "Sole Possession" records
    • "Law Enforcement" records
    • "Employment" records
    • "Alumni" records
    • "Treatment" records
      • FERPA, HIPAA, and state medical confidentiality statutes

MODULE FOUR

Disclosure of Education Records I

  • With consent
  • Without consent
    • Disclosures of directory information
    • Disclosures to school officials
      • Outsourcing
    • Disclosures to officials at other schools (the "transfer" exception)
    • Disclosures to parents
    • Disclosures in a "health or safety emergency"

MODULE FIVE

Disclosure of Education Records II

  • Without consent (continued)
    • Disclosures of and in disciplinary actions
      • FERPA and Title IX
    • Disclosures in litigation
    • Disclosures to the government
      • State longitudinal database systems
    • Disclosures in connection with financial aid
    • Applying the disclosure exceptions

MODULE SIX

Disclosure of Education Records III

  • Implied waiver of FERPA rights
  • Disclosure of de-identified records
  • Authentication requirements for disclosure
  • Safeguarding requirements
  • Implicit disclosures
  • Redisclosure and recordation requirements

MODULE SEVEN

The "Forgotten" Parts of FERPA

  • The right to "inspect and review"
    • Records pertaining to multiple students
  • The right to "seek amendment"
  • Annual notification of rights enforcement

MODULE EIGHT

Applied and Practical FERPA

  • Teaching and working in the cloud
  • FERPA vs. state public records requirements
  • Transcript notations
  • Practical tips
    • Posting grades
    • Returning exams and papers
    • Mailing grades and other records home
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Internships and externships
    • Talking to parents
    • Recording information about students
    • Disposing of recorded information about students
    • Email, other electronic records, and digital storage

LIVE FORUMS

FIRST FORUM

Thursday, October 24, 2024, 2:00-3:15 pm ET

This forum, which is supplemental to the course, will cover content addressed in modules 1-5. 

  • Opportunity for Q&A with course instructors
  • Unable to attend live? The recording is available on the course platform for all registrants

SECOND FORUM

Thursday, December 5, 2024, 1:00-2:15 pm ET

This forum, which is supplemental to the course, will cover content addressed in modules 6-8. 

  • Opportunity for Q&A with course instructors
  • Unable to attend live? The recording is available on the course platform for all registrants