Letter to Wachter Regarding Surveillance Video of Multiple Students
Letter in response to an inquiry on FERPA regarding a request from a parent for a copy of a suveillance video of a hazing incident involving multiple students, and for copies of witness statements regarding the incident.
Letter to Liberty University
This letter was sent to Liberty University in regards to a request for clarification on the extent FERPA would require Liberty University to provide individuals allegedly involved in fraud rings with the opportunity to inspect and review investigation reports prepared by the University related to suspected financial aid fraud.
Cyber Advisory - New Type of Cyber Extortion / Threat Attack
Schools have long been targets for cyber thieves and criminals. We are writing to let you know of a new threat, where the criminals are seeking to extort money from school districts and other educational institutions on the threat of releasing sensitive data from student records. In some cases, this has included threats of violence, shaming, or bullying the children unless payment is received.
FTC and the Department of Education to Host Workshop on Student Privacy and Ed Tech; Seeking Public Comments
The U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will host a joint workshop on December 1, 2017 to explore the intersection of Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
This workshop will solicit input from a variety of education technology vendors, schools, parents, advocates, and privacy professionals to discuss their experiences navigating FERPA and COPPA while implementing education technology in a classroom setting. The Department and the FTC are interested in learning about experiences, both positive and negative, in navigating the intersection of these statutes.
You can find a full list of questions, and information about how to submit comments, in the attached document. The workshop, which is free and open to the public, will be at the FTC’s Constitution Center, 400 7th St., SW, Washington, DC. It will be webcast live on the FTC’s website.
Password Data Breach Response Training Kit
PTAC Teacher Training Focus Groups Report
The Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) conducted a series of focus groups to gain insight into teachers’ needs for training on student privacy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This report documents the findings of these focus groups, as well as recommendations on how to develop new student privacy and FERPA training for teachers.
Integrated Data Systems and Student Privacy
This webinar accompanies the guidance document on Integrated Data Systems. This presentation provides background information on what an Integrated Data System (IDS) is and why educational authorities may choose to participate in one, and clarifies how such authorities can participate in an IDS while ensuring student privacy in compliance with FERPA.
Model Notice for Directory Information (En Español)
This document is a template notice for notifying parents and eligible students (students over 18 years of age or attending a school beyond the high school level) about the type of information from student’s education records, designated by a School District as “directory information,” that schools may disclose without consent, unless advised to the contrary. This version is the Spanish translation.
PPRA Model Notice & Consent Opt-Out for Specific Activities
This document is a template notice for school districts to notify parents and obtain consent or allow parents to opt their child out of participating in certain school activities under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).
Model Form for Disclosure to Parents of Dependent Students
This document is a template for postsecondary institutions to use for eligible students to consent to the disclosure of PII from educational records to their parents.