Parents frequently believe a signed FERPA gives them what amounts to Power of Attorney to act on their student’s behalf. Indeed, parents have cited FERPA as justification for them to contact instructors, add or drop classes, complete institutional and federal documents, etc. In actuality, FERPA is a law that protects the privacy of a student’s educational records.
A signed FERPA may give parents access to certain educational records and information that they would not otherwise have. This waiver only gives them access to records. It does not confer the right to act on behalf of the student or in his/her stead.
The Department of Education (DOE) put out a helpful “Parent Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)” (studentprivacy.ed.gov/sites/default/files/…) that may be helpful. It specifically addresses the rights provided by FERPA to parents.
WINAHEAD 