Must an educational agency or institution have a written agreement to disclose personally identifiable information (PII) from education records without consent for the purposes of conducting a study or an audit or evaluation of an education program?

Yes. Both the studies exception and the audit or evaluation exception specifically require that the parties execute a written agreement when disclosing PII from education records without consent.

Audience

K-12 School Officials

Postsecondary School Officials

Topics

Data Sharing

Exceptions - Audit/Evaluation

FERPA

Featured Resources

A Parent Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA provides certain rights for parents regarding their children’s education records. This guide provides general information on a parent’s rights under FERPA.

An Eligible Student Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA provides certain rights for parents regarding their children’s education records. When a student reaches 18 years of age or attends an institution of postsecondary education at any age, the student becomes an “eligible student,” and all rights under FERPA transfer from the parent to the student. This guide provides general information on an eligible student’s rights under FERPA.

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) General Guidance

This guidance document reviews parents’ rights under the PPRA and education officials’ obligations in implementing the PPRA. The PPRA applies to the programs and activities of a State educational agency (SEA), local educational agency (LEA), or other recipient of funds under any program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. (20 U.S.C. § 1232h, 34 CFR Part 98)

SPPO-21-01

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