Okay, so FERPA, right?
Think of it as this: your kids school stuff – grades, attendance, even like, their disciplinary records – is supposed to be kept pretty locked down. FERPA is what makes sure only certain people can see it. Like, duh, you as the parent (until they turn 18, then things get a little different), teachers, school administrators...people who need to know.
But, like, your nosy neighbor who tutors your kid sometimes? Nope. The school cant just hand over your kids report card to them. Or your ex, who is bitter and annoying.
Now, heres the tricky part. There are, of course, exceptions. Schools can share some info, what they call "directory information," like your kids name, address, phone number, maybe even their picture. But, and this is a big BUT, you have the right to opt-out of that! You can tell the school, "Hey, keep my kids info private, even that stuff." Its called requesting non-disclosure.
And, uh, FERPA also gives you the right to see and even challenge whats in your kids records. Found a mistake? Think somethings unfair? You can ask the school to correct it. managed services new york city They gotta take it seriously! check (well, mostly).
Honestly, FERPA can be a little confusing, with all the rules and exceptions. But basically, its there to protect your kids privacy and give you, the parent, some control over their educational records. Its worth knowing about, trust me. Its better to understand your rights than to find out you needed them after something goes wrong. So, yeah, FERPA: good stuff.