FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) relates to student privacy rights for student records controlled by educational institutions.
How do some school administrators invoke FERPA to block web 2.0 sites?
Some school administrators cite FERPA as the reason web 2.0 sites, like blogs and wikis must be blocked and/or not used by teachers, instructors or students.
What Does FERPA Require?
FERPA requires schools and school officials maintain confidential control over student records.
FERPA does not:
- Require all schools to block Ning websites
- Require schools to block all social networking websites
- Require schools to block other web 2.0 sites
- Prohibit educators and students from using web 2.0 sites
What is the Takeaway Here?
Educators should obtain parent and student permission before asking or inviting students to post and share their work online, particularly on public websites which are not protected by a login / password.
Additional Resources Relating to FERPA
- NC State Distance Education Guidlines for Instructors on FERPA Duties
- "Comments of the American Council on Education on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act." 8 May 2008. EduCause.
- "Comments of the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network Security Task Force on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act." 8 May 2008. EduCause.
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) - Final Regulations April 2004 (PDF)
- The EdJurist Blog
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