What is a primary purpose of FERPA?

The primary purpose of FERPA, which stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is to protect the privacy of student education records. This federal law provides students and their parents with specific rights regarding access to and confidentiality of educational information maintained by educational institutions. By establishing guidelines for authorized access to student records and protecting sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure, FERPA ensures that educational institutions prioritize the privacy of their students. This legislation empowers students and families, enabling them to control who can view their educational records and how that information is utilized, thereby safeguarding personal information throughout the educational process.