THE ESSENCE OF THE ACT

• COLLEGE STUDENTS, PAST AND PRESENT, MUST BE PERMITTED TO INSPECT THEIR OWN EDUCATION RECORDS.

• SCHOOL OFFICIALS MAY NOT DISCLOSE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENTS NOR PERMIT INSPECTION OF THEIR RECORDS WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE STUDENT UNLESS SUCH ACTION IS COVERED BY CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS PERMITTED BY THE ACT.

The two statements found in this slide capture the essence of what FERPA is almost all about. Note the terms "education records," "school official," and "personally identifiable" are in red in this slide in the powerpoint presentation and boldface in these handouts.