U.S. Department of Education Issues Reminder on Parental Rights Laws, Emphasizing FERPA and PPRA Compliance

The U.S. Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) has issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) reminding state and local education agencies of their obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The guidance stresses that schools must allow parents to review student educational records and obtain parental consent for sensitive surveys, with non-compliance potentially leading to a loss of federal funding.