FERPA Compliance

Compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects our students’ privacy and ensures the integrity of their educational records. FERPA mandates that we , only share student information with authorized individuals and always maintain confidentiality. By adhering to FERPA guidelines, we are complying with federal law and fostering a trustworthy and secure learning environment for our students.

FERPA Guidelines: Required Actions

Understand FERPA: Familiarize yourself with the key provisions of FERPA and EICC’s specific policies.

Secure Records: Ensure student records are stored securely and only accessible to authorized personnel.

Obtain Consent: Always obtain written consent from students before disclosing their personally identifiable information (PII) to third parties, unless an exception applies.

Verify Requests: Confirm the identity and legitimate educational interest of individuals requesting access to student records.

Provide Training: Participate in FERPA training sessions to stay updated on compliance requirements and best practices.

FERPA Guidelines: Prohibited Actions

Do Not Share Without Consent: Avoid disclosing student information without proper consent, especially in public or informal settings.

Do Not Leave Records Unattended: Never leave student records, whether physical or digital, unsecured or unattended.

Do Not Discuss Publicly: Refrain from discussing students’ academic performance, disciplinary actions, or other sensitive information in public areas or with unauthorized individuals.

Do Not Use Personal Devices: Avoid storing or accessing student records on personal devices that are not secure or authorized by EICC.

Do Not Ignore Requests: Ensure timely responses to students’ requests to access or amend their records, as required by FERPA.

EICC must have written permission from a student before releasing information from their record. One exception is categorized as “directory information.” At EICC, the following information is categorized as directory information:

Name
Address
Telephone Number
Dates of Attendance
Class Rank
Concentration Area
Email Address
Currently Enrolled
Awards/Honors
Activities/Sports
Height/Weight (athletes)
Full/Part-time status