Lesson 2.1: Understanding FERPA and Student Privacy

FERPA and Student Privacy

• FERPA Overview: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects student information.
• Confidentiality: Never share student information without permission.
• Best Practices: Keep student records secure and respect their privacy.

As a substitute teacher, you’ll learn a lot about students. It’s essential to keep this information private, which is where FERPA comes in.

What is FERPA?

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. It protects student information, acting as a “keep it secret, keep it safe” rule for schools.

Why FERPA Matters

• It keeps student information private.
• It gives parents the right to see their child’s school records.
• It helps students feel safe sharing information at school.

How to Keep Student Information Private

• Don’t discuss students’ grades or behavior with anyone who doesn’t need to know.
• Never post about students on social media.
• Keep any papers with student information out of sight.
• If someone asks about a student, check with the office before sharing anything.

Remember, what happens in the classroom stays in the classroom.