U.S. Department of Education Seeks Assurances of FERPA Compliance
The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) issued on Friday, March 28, a letter that served as the department’s annual notification to state and local education agencies of their obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).
The policy office also directed state education agencies to provide assurances by April 30, 2025, that the state education agencies and local educational agencies are complying with these obligations and with regard to priority concerns addressed in the letter:
Parental Right to Inspect and Review Education Records – SPPO seeks assurances that schools are not creating support plans for gender expansive students and not including those in a student’s education records.
Safety of Students – SPPO seeks assurances that schools are not relying on FERPA to withhold information from parents of a student who has been targeted by a death threat.
Annual Notification of Rights – SPPO seeks assurances that schools are providing parents with an annual notification of their rights under FERPA as required.
Military Recruiters – SPPO seeks assurances that schools are providing military recruiters with the same access granted to postsecondary recruiters or prospective employers.
The policy office’s request for assurances of compliance with FERPA and PPRA is directed to state educational agencies such as the Oregon Department of Education. School districts, or local education agencies, have in many cases adopted OSBA model policies that describe how Oregon schools comply with these obligations:
OSBA model policy IGBAB/JO Education Records/Records of Students with Disabilities and its AR include language on how schools provide parents with the right to inspect and review education records.
Oregon law requires schools to notify parents if threats of violence or harm are made toward a student. OSBA model policy JFCM Threats of Violence describes the procedure to be followed in these circumstances.
OSBA model policy IGBAB/JO Education Records/Records of Students with Disabilities describes the annual notification requirements, and model policy JOA Directory Information describes the annual notification requirements to parents for what information is considered directory information and when the school may release that information. This includes information about the release of directory information to military recruiters, unless a parent or student requests the information be withheld.
If you have questions about FERPA, PPRA and how to fulfill your obligations to students and parents, please reach out to us.
For PACE member legal questions: PACE Legal Services
Ph | 503-485-4800
Email | [email protected]
For OSBA member policy questions: OSBA Policy Services
Email [email protected]
