FERPA Quiz

Question 1

If the parent of a student calls asking how a student is doing in a class, can you give out that information?

Incorrect!

Even though the person may be the parent you must assume that the student is an adult. You cannot give out that grade or any other personal information.

General Rule

You must assume that the student is an adult who is entitled to privacy, even from parents. Parents may assert their rights to the records if the student is dependent according to the tax code.

Correct!

Even though the person may be the parent you must assume that the student is an adult. You cannot give out that grade or any other personal information.

General Rule

You must assume that the student is an adult who is entitled to privacy, even from parents. Parents may assert their rights to the records if the student is dependent according to the tax code.

Question 2

You receive a call from a recruiting firm asking for names and addresses of students with a GPA of 3.0 or better. They say they have good job information for these students. Can you help these students get jobs by giving out this information?

Incorrect!

While we want students to get good jobs, that request should be sent to the appropriate office.

General Rule

Do not give out student records to anyone outside the College without prior written consent of that student. In this case you should send this request to the campus placement office or provide these students with the contact name and the request.

Correct!

While we want students to get good jobs, that request should be sent to the appropriate office.

General Rule

Do not give out student records to anyone outside the College without prior written consent of that student. In this case you should send this request to the campus placement office or provide these students with the contact name and the request.

Question 3

A person comes up to you with a letter containing a signature that gives consent to the release of the transcript of a student. Do you give the transcript to them?

Incorrect!

It is the responsibility of the Registrar’s Office to provide this service.

General Rule

In almost all cases, unless it is your job function, do not give out any records to a third party. You should refer their request to the Registrar’s Office.

Correct!

It is the responsibility of the Registrar’s Office to provide this service.

General Rule

In almost all cases, unless it is your job function, do not give out any records to a third party. You should refer their request to the Registrar’s Office.

Question 4

You receive a phone call from the local police department indicating that they are trying to determine whether a particular student was in attendance on a specific day. Since they are in the middle of a investigation are you allowed to give them this information?

Incorrect!

There must be a subpoena presented to you to access this information. If pressured to respond to the subpoena immediately, FERPA requires notification of the student. Unless it is specially stated on the subpoena that the student must not be notified.

General Rule

There must be prior written consent or a legally binding subpoena. SHOULD YOU BE SERVED WITH A SUBPOENA, CONTACT THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

Correct!

There must be a subpoena presented to you to access this information. If pressured to respond to the subpoena immediately, FERPA requires notification of the student. Unless it is specially stated on the subpoena that the student must not be notified.

General Rule

There must be prior written consent or a legally binding subpoena. SHOULD YOU BE SERVED WITH A SUBPOENA, CONTACT THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

Question 5

You get a frantic phone call from an individual who says the he is a student’s father and must get in touch with her immediately because of a family emergency. Can you tell him when and where her next class is today?

Incorrect!

For the safety of a student, you cannot tell another person where a student is at any time.

General Rule

When this situation arises, contact the Registration Office.

Correct!

For the safety of a student, you cannot tell another person where a student is at any time.

General Rule

When this situation arises, contact the Registration Office.

Question 6

Is it wrong for professors to leave exams, papers, etc. outside their office for students to pick up?

Correct!

That is a violation of the privacy rules because it is inappropriate for students to have access to other students’ information.

General Rule

You cannot leave personally identifiable materials in a public place.

Incorrect!

That is a violation of the privacy rules because it is inappropriate for students to have access to other students’ information.

General Rule

You cannot leave personally identifiable materials in a public place.

Question 7

An unauthorized person retrieves information from a computer screen that was left unattended. Under FERPA, is the institution responsible?

Correct!

Information on a computer screen should be treated the same as a printed report.

General Rule

The medium in which the information is held is unimportant. No information should be left accessible or unattended, including computer displays.

Incorrect!

Information on a computer screen should be treated the same as a printed report.

General Rule

The medium in which the information is held is unimportant. No information should be left accessible or unattended, including computer displays.

Finished?

Please print out this page and sign below. You may need to provide this page with your signature to show that you have completed FERPA training.

Signature: ______________________________

Print your name: _________________________

Date: _______________

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Go to FERPA Resources