The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that affords parents the right to have access to their children's education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student ("eligible student"). The FERPA statute is found at 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and the FERPA regulations are found at 34 CFR Part 99. For more detailed information, visit the US Department of Education's website at: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

 

 

In Addition: As noted above, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student, once the student turns 18 years old or enters a post-secondary institution at any age. However, although the rights under FERPA have now transferred to the student, a school may disclose information from an "eligible student's" education records to the parents of the student, without the student's consent, if the student has been determined to be a dependent of the parent. 

 

If you feel a violation of your FERPA rights has occurred, you may submit a copy of the FERPA Parent Complaint Form. You may complete this form online by clicking here  or call the following number to have one mailed to you: 678-947-0863 ext. 205522 (leave your complete name and mailing address).  A response to your concern will be sent to you within 10 business days from the time in which your form was received.

 

Annual notification about FERPA is sent at the beginning of each school year through Parent Portal.  Please check your account to view this information under Documents.  Should you need a printed copy of this form, click here.

 

Online Learning Notice: 

 

Parents/guardians have been given the option to have their students participate in online instruction. Disclosure of student information in person or on-line is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The written consent of a parent or eligible student (18 years old or older) is required before personally identifiable information contained therein may be disclosed. Due to the changing nature of the pandemic, there is the potential for future Forsyth County Schools (FCS) and/ or statewide virtual learning days. When your student is participating in online learning, FCS staff members would like to continue meeting with their classes using an online group feed that is live. This platform would allow students to participate in group lessons as well as to turn off their cameras and microphones when they choose to do so for privacy. FCS staff will continue to support and provide educational access to all students. FCS staff have been advised not to disclose any students’ specific program or disability information, and all live group sessions will be general in nature and focused on educational instruction. The online learning consent listed on the next page will let the school system know if your student is able to participate in live online learning sessions.