Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
A federal law that protects the privacy of your child's education records. You have the right to inspect your child's records, request corrections, and control who sees the records.
FERPA in context
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act comes up across the IEP process — in your IEP document, during meeting prep, and in the federal rights that protect your child. Rules and timelines can also vary by state — find your state's parent training centers and dispute options in our State IEP Guides.
If this term affects your child's annual goals, test whether they are measurable using our free IEP Goal Checker or follow our step-by-step IEP Annual Review Checklist.
Related Terms
Prior Written Notice (PWN)
A written document the school must give you before they make any changes to your child's identification, evaluation, placement, or services. It must explain what they want to do (or refuse to do), why, and what options were considered.
Procedural Safeguards
A set of rights that protect you and your child during the special education process. These include the right to participate in meetings, access records, give or refuse consent, and resolve disagreements. The school must give you a copy of these rights at least once a year.
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Write Your First Letter — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.