Tennessee schools frequently face disputes between divorced parents over access to student records and control of educational decisions. The key to compliance lies in distinguishing information access (governed by FERPA) from decision authority (controlled by the Permanent Parenting Plan). This guide walks LEAs through the laws, responsibilities, and best practices for avoiding liability while protecting student privacy.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records and ensure that parents and eligible students (students over the age of 18 or those attending postsecondary institutions) have access to and control over their personal education information. FERPA is essential for safeguarding the rights of students and ensuring that schools handle student records responsibly. In this article, we will explore what FERPA is, how it protects student records, and what rights parents and eligible students are entitled to under this law.