The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents and eligible students certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights include:
- The Right to Inspect and Review Education Records
Parents of eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the Watson Institute within 45 days of submitting a request. Requests should be made in writing to the Program Director. The Watson Institute will arrange for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. - The Right to Request Amendment of Records
Parents or eligible students may request the amendment of the student’s education records that they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Requests must be made in writing, clearly identifying the part of the record to be changed and why it should be changed. If the Watson Institute decides not to amend the record, it will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and their right to a hearing. Additional information about the hearing procedures will be provided at that time. - The Right to Consent to Disclosures
The Watson Institute must obtain written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) from education records, except in certain permitted circumstances under § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Exceptions include disclosures to:
– School officials with legitimate educational interests
– Officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll
– Authorized representatives of federal, state, or local educational authorities
– State and local officials under specific state laws
– Organizations conducting studies for the school
– Accrediting organizations
– Parents of a dependent student as defined by IRS
– Compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena
– Appropriate officials in a health or safety emergency
– Directory information (unless opted out)
– Child welfare agency representatives or tribal organizations
– The U.S. Department of Agriculture for nutrition program evaluations
A school official includes a person employed by the Watson Institute as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff or a person serving on the board). It may also include a contractor, consultant, volunteer, or other party performing an institutional service or function under the school’s direct control with respect to the use and maintenance of education records.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility. - Directory Information
FERPA allows the Watson Institute to disclose certain “directory information” without prior written consent unless parents or eligible students opt out. Directory information may include:
– Student’s name, address, telephone number, and email address
– Date and place of birth
– Grade level and enrollment status
– Dates of attendance
To opt of our directory information disclosure, parents or eligible students must notify the Watson Institute in writing within the first two weeks of the school year. - Record of Disclosures
The Watson Institute maintains a record of certain disclosures of PII from student records, except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. - The Right to File a Complaint
Parents and eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Watson Institute to comply with FERPA. Complaints may be submitted online or mailed to:
Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-8520