Letters of Importance

Letter regarding the applicability of FERPA to student education records in schools that were closed before FERPA's enactment.

This 2006 letter summarizes the findings in response to a parent's complaint under FERPA against a school district regarding the parent’s right to inspect and review their child's education records, whether the school district could require payment for accessing certain education records, and whether the school district could destroy education records while there was an outstanding request to inspect and review them.

Letter regarding the applicability of FERPA to Minnesota's alleged child abuse reporting and investigation laws pursuant to the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA),  

Letter in response to a Texas school district, providing guidance on releasing a student's unredacted school record to the state's Office of the Attorney General in a matter unrelated to FERPA's permissible disclosures.

Letter explaining that FERPA permits two institutions to share information pertaining to a student's completion of joint degree requirements, without consent, if the student is enrolled in both institutions or is enrolled in one institution and receives services from another. 

Letter regarding a conflict between FERPA and State law when disclosing education records during a teacher disciplinary proceeding.

Letter regarding the applicability of FERPA to disclosures from a SEA to a non-education state agency for research purposes.

Letter in response to a Texas school district, providing guidance on releasing a student's unredacted school record to the state's Office of the Attorney General in a matter unrelated to FERPA's permissible disclosures.

Letter in response to a request from the Los Angeles Unified School District on whether a Judge's "blanket order" proposed March 1, 2006 would violate FERPA's requirement to notify parents prior to releasing personally identifiable information from student's education record. 

Letter in response to Montgomery County Public Schools (MD) on when statements and reports made by school security staff should be considered law enforcement records and when they should be considered student education records subject to FERPA.