Parents and FERPA
Privacy information for parents of EFSC students
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level at any age. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."
IMPORTANT: If it is determined that persons other than the student are accessing a student's records in a Canvas Learning Management System classroom, the student will be removed from the class and receive a final grade of "F." While students may have provided written consent for a third party to receive information regarding their educational records, that consent does not permit any other person besides the student to complete or access coursework within the classroom or online setting.
Frequently asked questions from parents
Q. Why can't I get my son/daughter's grades/schedule? I'm paying the bills!
A. FERPA does not permit EFSC to release non-directory information without the signed consent of the student or in compliance with a subpoena.
Q. How can I pay my son/daughter's account if you can't even tell me how much they owe?
A. Your child will either have to verbally inform you about their financial account or they will have to provide a written consent form authorizing you to receive and inspect their financial statements.
Q. What if my child is still in High School?
A. FERPA rights transfer to the student when he/she begins attending a postsecondary school even if he/she is also enrolled in high school. Unless you obtain a signed consent from your child or EFSC receives a lawfully issued subpoena, you should address your concerns through the high school guidance counselor.
Additional info for parents: Click each topic for details
Parents have no inherent rights to access or inspect their son or daughter's education records at the postsecondary level. This right is limited solely to the student. At EFSC, records may be released to parents or any other third party only if the student has provided a written release to the college or in compliance with a subpoena.
Such things as progress in a course, deficiencies in a subject area, scores and grades on papers, exams, etc. are all examples of personally identifiable information that make up part of the student's education record. This information is protected under FERPA and parents may not have access unless the student has provided written authorization that specifically identifies what information may be released to the parent(s).
If non-directory information is needed to resolve a crisis or emergency situation, an education institution may release that information if the institution determines that the information is "necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals." Factors considered in making this assessment are: the severity of the threat to the health or safety of those involved; the need for the information; the time required to deal with the emergency; and the ability of the parties to whom the information is to be given to deal with the emergency.
At the postsecondary level, parents have no inherent rights to access or inspect their son or daughter's education records even if their son or daughter is also enrolled in high school. This right is limited solely to the student. At EFSC, records may be released to parents or any other third party only if the student has provided a written release to the college or in compliance with a subpoena. It is recommended that the parent contact the student's high school guidance counselor to discuss any questions or concerns they may have.