FERPA AND PARENTAL ACCESS TO A COLLEGE STUDENT’S GRADES
NEW JERSEY FERPA ATTORNEYS
Under the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the release of academic records is restricted. Passed in 1974 and sometimes referred to as the “Buckley Amendment,” FERPA was passed in order to protect the privacy and rights of students. As a result, once a student turns eighteen or pursues education beyond high school, access to educational records is restricted to the student him or herself. However, a student’s records can be released if a student provides written permission indicating with whom the information can be shared.
FERPA, PARENTS, AND COLLEGE STUDENTS
The terms of FERPA cover the GPA, grades, and disciplinary record of a college student. This also includes any information about being put on academic probation or receiving an academic warning. As a result, FERPA treats college students as responsible adults who can determine for themselves who should and should not receive information about their academic record. Further, under FERPA, college counselors and other university representatives are prohibited from granting parents access to their son or daughter’s college record. Most colleges and universities provide a waiver form for students to sign; however, the decision to release or share academic records is ultimately left to the student to determine.
I’m Paying for College – Doesn’t that Entitle Me to see My Child’s Grades? FERPA prevents parents from gaining access to their son or daughter’s academic information directly from a college or university. Consequently, you will need to discuss the issue with your son or daughter. In this way, FERPA views access to student grades as a family issue and not one for universities to decide. If you student signs a FERPA waiver, you can request a copy of your student’s grade – however, a transcript or report card will not be automatically sent to you. In the event that there are certain health issues that make a student a potential threat to him or herself, academic information may be shared with parents without a FERPA release. There are also other health concerns that may permit the release of academic information as well, depending on the unique situation of a student.
Problems with FERPA? Contact FERPA Attorneys at CockerillCraigMoore Occasionally, problems arise in regard to access to college records on the part of parents, employers, or others. In some cases, there may be legal issues that either justify releasing college academic records or restricting access to them. If you have questions regarding your rights – student or parental – under FERPA, contact Haddonfield, New Jersey FERPA attorneys at CockerillCraigMoore Law by calling 856-429-1060 or filling out our online intake form.
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