# data[].attributes.body
Learning objectives state what the learner will be able to do upon completion of a course or lesson. The tests or assessments should check to see if the learner has accomplished the objectives, and the course materials should provide all the information needed to learn what is needed.

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Testing students’ knowledge and understanding of a topic

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Hybrid/Blended learning is where face to face learning is moved online

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Sakai is a free educational software platform system that helps support teaching, research, and collaboration. It is used by hundreds of institutions around the world and it was designed to help communities. It has a lot of features like grade books, discussions, live chats, uploading assignments, and online testing.

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The process by which learning products and experiences are designed, developed, and delivered (e.i. online classes, instructional manuals, tutorials, learning simulations).

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existing or occurring at the same time

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Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
Resource for BU Students, Faculty & Staff

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student's education records. In compliance with FERPA, Boston University does not disclose personally identifiable information contained in student education records, except as authorized by law.

All faculty, staff, graders, teaching assistants, teaching fellows, tutors, and peer coaches are responsible for upholding the regulations set by FERPA by protecting students' privacy and avoiding unintentional breaches of privacy. This module has been designed to help BUSPH staff learn about the importance of privacy and the actions needed to ensure student privacy is upheld.

Violation of FERPA regulations can have serious consequences (including termination of employment). You can reference this module as a refresher throughout the semester, as well as the BU FERPA website, to make sure that you are upholding and respecting student privacy as it relates to your role on campus.

Explain the purpose of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Define terms relevant to FERPA regulation, including "student," "education record," "personally identifiable information," and "record."

Identify students' rights under FERPA as well as the exceptions to those rights.

Describe the general guidelines for faculty and staff (including Teaching Assistants, Graders, Tutors, and Peer Coaches) to prevent FERPA violations.

Identify who to contact with questions or concerns regarding FERPA.

FERPA is designed to ensure that students are able to access their education records as well as establish standards for if and how such records are released to third parties. In compliance with FERPA, Boston University does not disclose personally identifiable information contained in student education records to third parties (including parents, potential or current employers, or partners), except as authorized by law. To access an electronic version of the federal code, see Title 34, Part 99 - Family Educational Rights and Privacy.

Definitions

It is important to understand that certain terms used within the context of FERPA regulations have been assigned specific meanings. As with any regulation, FERPA has a list of definitions to help clarify the meaning of certain terms. Some of those terms and definitions with which you should become familiar are provided below.

Term

Definition

Directory Information

Information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

Electronic communication and data collection has made it easier to access and share student information. While there are obvious advantages to electronic record keeping, course information, and grading systems, challenges arise in assuring that such information isn't shared in a manner that violates the rights of students.

In general, a student has the right to:

Inspect his or her education records, such as assignment grades, course grades, and progress towards completion of his or her coursework. (Records that are not covered by FERPA are discussed below.)

Require that the University obtain a student's written consent before releasing personally identifiable information from education records (e.g., if the student applies for another academic program or fellowship).

Request corrections to education records if the student believes the records are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights under FERPA.

Exceptions

There is information that students do NOT have the right to inspect. The following list includes both education and non-education records that students do not have the right to access. Scroll over the exclamation icon for additional information.

It is important that employees know their responsibilities for protecting student information as designated under FERPA regulations. Even a minor disclosure of information may be a violation of FERPA and may result in penalties including, but not necessarily limited to, the loss of one's job.

The following provides a overview of the requirements for which you are responsible.

TAs, Graders, Core Course Tutors & Peer Coaches

Teaching assistants (TAs), graders, core course tutors, and peer coaches have access to student information due to the nature of their educational responsibilities. When working in these roles, students may share personal and/or academic information with you. It is important to keep those conversations between you and the student, unless you are bringing a concern to the faculty member of the course you are working in or the tutoring program supervisor.

Many of FERPA regulations use terms such as "may" and "can." Even legitimate requests have a 45-day waiting period, and one never has to answer a request with information. A request is a request, and FERPA protects the person who is asked to answer the question. A TA or grader or professor has time and should take time to respond to inquiries.

Other than the faculty member from the course, you must keep student information disclosed to you in conversation or available through the Link private from:

The student's peers, friends, and family

Your peers and friends

Other students in the course

Faculty not involved in the course

!

If you believe that a student is in distress and may need additional support, please contact Mary Murphy-Phillips, Director of Student and Educational Services (mcmurph@bu.edu or 617-638-5059)

The most common FERPA-related concern for TAs, graders, core course tutors, and peer coaches involves "accidental third party violations" which occur when you share student information in a public setting where others could overhear. This can happen when you talk to a faculty member about a student while the door is open or while you are grading in a public space and others can see grades and names. FERPA violations can also occur when using a public computer; always remember to log out!

The following activity highlights some important guidelines regarding grading and taking the necessary precautions regarding record keeping, posting and sharing information, third parties, and social media.

Examples of FERPA Violations

Below is an activity to familiarize you with some circumstances that may constitute FERPA violations. Review each of the circumstances; then select whether or not it is a FERPA violation.

Whom to Contact with Questions

Should you have any questions after reviewing this module or anytime during which you perform the duties of your position (e.g., TA, grader, tutor, peer coach), the image below indicates whom you should contact and in what order. For instance, TAs and graders should speak with the professor first, followed by the Registrar or Education Office if questions or concerns remain.

Thank you for completing this module on FERPA. You may navigate back to any page or section in this module using the navigation features available both in the menu bar above as well as to the right of the page. This FERPA guidelines document is a downloadable resource that provides a comprehensive list of all the guidelines covered in this module.

Please note that you must complete the brief quiz below to indicate you have successfully completed the module.

Post-Module Quiz

Non-Disclosure Form

Please click here to certify that you have completed the module.

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Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

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Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) Resource for BU Students, Faculty & Staff The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student's education records. In compliance with FERPA, Boston University does not disclose personally identifiable information contained in student education records, except as authorized by law.

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a type of learning where students learn the material before class and class time is used to deepen their understanding

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Jun Ho: Universal Accessibility in Online learning

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Jun Ho: Universal Accessibility in Online learning

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Anticipating the diversity of students that may enroll in the online course and planning accordingly so that the lesson is "Universally Accessible".

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Drop box is a personal cloud storage service used for file sharing and collaboration. Students can use dropbox to upload assignments online.

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Dropbox is a personal cloud storage service (sometimes referred to as an online backup service) that is frequently used for file sharing and collaboration. The Dropbox application is available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux desktop operating systems. There are also apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry devices.

The service provides 2 gigabytes (GB) of storage for free and up to 100 GB on various for-fee plans. Another option, Dropbox for Teams, provides 350 GB storage. The user data is stored on Amazon's Simple Storage Service (S3) and protected with Secure Sockets Layer ( SSL) and Advanced Encryption System ( AES) 256-bit encryption.

After installation of the associated application, a Dropbox folder appears with the user's other folders. Users can save files to the folder, add new folders, and drag and drop files among folders just as if they were all local. Files in the Dropbox folder can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection - the user just has to log in to his account to upload, download and share files.

To share a file, the user can generate a URL for it from the Dropbox website and send it out so that others can view it. Folders can be shared by sending an invitation from the Dropbox website. Recipients that don't have Dropbox accounts will have to sign up to access the folder. Once a folder is shared, it will appear in the folder system for everyone who has access to it and all members will be able to make changes to files. All versions of files are saved.

Dropbox has usually been considered a consumer market service. However, it is increasingly being used within the enterprise and as such is an example of the IT consumerization trend.

The service is named for the repositories used by banks, post offices, video stores and libraries to allow people to drop items off securely.

See also: cloud storage backup, online backup, MozyEnterprise, cloud storage provider, cloud services reseller, VAR (value-added reseller)

Continue Reading About Dropbox

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What is Dropbox? - Definition from WhatIs.com

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Dropbox is a personal cloud storage service (sometimes referred to as an online backup service) that is frequently used for file sharing and collaboration. The Dropbox application is available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux desktop operating systems. There are also apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry devices.

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To make something an integral part of. To place or set (something) firmly in something else.

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An experienced advisor for a younger colleague. They may provide guidance, emotional support, and setting goals.

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(of two or more objects or events) not existing or happening at the same time.

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https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/resources/ferpa-and-virtual-learning

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Many of the pages on the site moved to new URLs during our recent redesign. If you reached this page by using a bookmark or a link from another site, please search for the updated url using our Bookmark Search below.

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What is FERPA? The Basic Rules for Faculty/Staff Special "Don'ts" for Faculty Special "Do's" for Faculty/Staff FERPA and Parents What Is a Student Education Record? Directory Information How to Make a Change to Your Privacy Level
FERPA Online Training Course for employees

Overview

To be allowed access to student records, you must carefully review the material presented here. Maintaining confidentiality of student records is everyone's responsibility, whether you are faculty, staff, or a student. Why? Because it's the right thing to do and, more importantly, it's federal law.

The tutorial is designed to give you base-level knowledge of the rules governing release of student information. After you've carefully reviewed the tutorial, test your knowledge by taking the online FERPA quiz.

What Is FERPA?

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (sometimes called the Buckley Amendment). Passed by Congress in 1974, the act grants four specific rights to the student. These rights begin as soon as the student enrolls or registers with an academic program of the university.

1. The right to see the information that the institution is keeping on him/her.

2. The right to seek amendment to those records and in certain cases append a statement to the record.

3. The right to consent to disclosure of his/her records.

4. The right to file a complaint with the FERPA Office in Washington, D.C.

The Basic Rules for Faculty/Staff

Student education records are considered confidential and may not be released without the written consent of the student.

As a faculty or staff member you have a responsibility to protect education records in your possession.

Some information is considered public (sometimes called "Directory Information"). Under the terms of FERPA, UC Merced has established these items as Directory Information, which may be released to those requesting it, unless the student specifically requests otherwise by completing a "nondisclosure form" with the Registrar.

You have access to information only for legitimate use in completion of your responsibilities as a university employee. "Need-to-know" is the basic principle.

If you are ever in doubt, do not release any information until you contact the Office of the Registrar at 209-228-7178 or registrar@ucmerced.edu. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for student record information.

Special "Don'ts" for Faculty

To avoid violating FERPA rules, do not at any time:

Post grades using any part of a student's ID number. If you want to post grades outside of your office, assign individual numbers to students at random. Only the student and the faculty member who assigned the number should know the number. The order of posting should never be alphabetic by student name.

Leave stacked graded papers for students to pick up - not even in sealed envelopes (unless you have the students' permission to do so). Instead, mail graded papers/exams via campus or U.S. mail in envelopes that students pre-address, pre-stamp and provide for you.

Circulate a printed class list for attendance purposes if it shows names and social security numbers or IDs.

Allow students to view, read, or record another student's social security number while in your work area.

Discuss student progress with anyone other than the student without the student's consent (this includes the student's parents and spouse).

Provide anyone with a student's schedule or help anyone other than university employees find a student on campus (Students First Center will assist).

Special "Do's" for Faculty/Staff

Make sure you protect all education records in your possession. This includes paper documents in your office such as computer printouts, class lists, display screen data and advising notes. These are practical tools that you need to do your job; however, they should be protected like you would protect a purse or wallet. You should not leave these items out in open areas, but store them out of sight, preferably in a locked cabinet or drawer when not in use.

FERPA and Parents

FERPA is a federal law intended to protect the privacy of student education records accumulated from early childhood through college. FERPA provides parents with certain rights with respect to children's education records up until entry to the university. When a student enters the university, the rights parents previously held transfer exclusively to the student. The university considers students as adults, regardless of age or financial dependence. Ordinarily, parents of UC Merced students obtain information about their students' records directly from their students. The payment of a student's tuition by the parent does not, by itself, give the parent the right of access to a student's education record. Questions regarding these procedures may be directed to the Office of the Registrar at 209-228-7178.

What Is a Student Education Record?

Just about any information provided by a student to the university for use in the educational process is considered a student education record, including:

Personal information

Enrollment records

Grades

Schedules

The storage media in which you find this information does not matter. Student education record may be contained in the following media:

Documents in the Registrar's office

Computer printouts in a faculty/staff office

Class lists on an instructor's desktop

Computer display screens

Notes advisors have taken during an advisement session

Directory Information

UC Merced has established these items as Directory Information:

The student's name and telephone number(s)

UC Merced email address

Major field of study

Class (year in school)

Dates of attendance

Enrollment status (full-time, part-time)

Degrees and awards received

Participation in officially recognized activities

Photographs

Parental/guardian information is confidential. It is used by the university only for notification of events, ceremonies, awards and development or in case of an emergency involving the student.

University of California Policy Related to the Disclosure of Information from Student Records

For UC systemwide policy related to student record information disclosure, please see section 130 at ucop.edu/ucophome/coordrev/ucpolicies/aos/toc.html

Policy as Written in the Catalog

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. In accordance with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and campus procedures implementing the University of California Policies Applying to the Disclosure of Information from Student Records, students at the UC Merced campus of the University have the following rights:

1. The right to inspect and review their own student records within 45 days of the date the university receives a written request for access. Students should submit their requests in writing to the University registrar, dean, or other appropriate campus official for the office having custody of the requested records. The request must identify the record(s) they wish to inspect and review. The campus official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the official receiving the request, that official shall advise the student of the correct official and redirect the request.

2. The right to request the amendment of their own student records if a student believes the records are inaccurate or misleading. Students should submit a written request to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading to the campus official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the portion of the record they want changed, and specifying why it is believed to be inaccurate or misleading. If the University determines that the record should not be amended as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise him/her of the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their student records, except to the extent that law and policy authorize disclosure without consent.

One exception permitting disclosure without consent is disclosure to campus officials having a legitimate educational interest in the records. A campus official is any individual designated by the campus to perform an assigned function on behalf of the campus. Legitimate educational interest means a demonstrated need to know by officials who act in a student's educational interest. A campus official has a "legitimate educational interest" in a record if the official is performing a task
(1) specified in his or her job description;
(2) specifically related to the official's participation in the student's education;
(3) specifically related to the discipline of a student; or
(4) specifically related to providing a service or benefit associated with a student or student's family, such as health care, counseling, job placement or financial aid.

Another exception permitting disclosure without consent is Directory (or public) Information, defined as information contained in a student record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed, unless the student has notified the Office of the Registrar that such information is to be treated as confidential with respect to him/herself.

UC Merced has established these items as Directory Information: the student's name and telephone number(s); UC Merced email address; major field of study; class (year in school); dates of attendance; enrollment status (full-time, part-time); degrees and awards received; participation in officially recognized activities; and photographs. Parental/guardian information is confidential. It is used by the university only for notification of events, ceremonies, awards and development or in case of an emergency involving the student.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by UC Merced to comply with the requirements of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, addressed to the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

How a Student Can Change His/Her Level of Privacy

A current student who wants to withhold all information (including phone number and UC Merced email address) from the category of public information must file a form in the Office of the Registrar by the 10th day of instruction. If a student does not choose this option, this information may be released and the student's phone number and UC Merced email address will be included in the campus student directory.

Current students availing themselves of this right should understand what the consequences of such action might be. For example, if all information is designated nonpublic information, the campus cannot make public any honors received by the student and cannot include the student's name and degree earned in the campus commencement program without the student's written consent. Similarly, if all information is designated non-public information, the student's status as a student or any degrees earned cannot be verified for lenders or potential employers without the student's written consent.

Questions

Questions about these rights should be referred to the Office of the Registrar at UC Merced at 209-228-7178 or by emailing registrar@ucmerced.edu.
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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts (FERPA)

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What is FERPA? The Basic Rules for Faculty/Staff Special "Don'ts" for Faculty Special "Do's" for Faculty/Staff FERPA and Parents What Is a Student Education Record? Directory Information How to Make a Change to Your Privacy Level FERPA Online Training Course for employees Overview To be allowed access to student records, you must carefully review the material presented here.

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The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.

Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.

Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

School officials with legitimate educational interest;

Other schools to which a student is transferring;

Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;

Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;

Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;

Accrediting organizations;

To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;

Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and

State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.

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policy; privacy; academic records; technical assistance; parent rights; student rights; ferpa

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Home Page.

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Cybersecurity and Privacy Alert

Author(s) Erin Jane Illman, Rachel M. LaBruyere
This is the third alert in a series of Bradley installments on privacy and cybersecurity issues that may arise during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This installment focuses on privacy concerns related to schools and universities moving to a remote learning structure. Click to read the first and second installments.
In dozens of states, hundreds of K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are switching to remote learning to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, moving to an online classroom environment comes with its own set of challenges, including privacy concerns.

One such concern is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is a federal law that gives parents of minor students certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights include the right to inspect and review records; the right to seek amendment of records; and the right to control (to some extent) the disclosure of the records themselves or personally identifiable information within those records.

FERPA defines education records as "records that are: (1) directly related to a student; and (2) maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution." FERPA applies to both written and digital records. These rights belong to the parent until the student turns 18, upon which time the rights pass to the student.

As schools scramble to find online learning resources and alternative instruction, consideration should be given to how personal information, assessments, or other data collected or used by outside learning applications and resources will be deemed records under FERPA.

FERPA Applicability

FERPA applies to "an educational agency or institution to which funds have been made available under any program administered" by the Department of Education. These funds include any "grant, cooperative agreement, contract, subgrant, or subcontract;" and/or any funds provided to "students attending" the institution that are then paid to the institution, such as Pell Grants and the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. This includes any institution that provides "education services or instruction" or is "authorized to direct and control public elementary or secondary, or postsecondary educational institutions."

Guidance on Use of Outside Learning Resources

Schools considering the switch to online learning should look to the 2015 guide from the U.S. Department of Education when determining what additional measures should be taken pursuant to FERPA. The guidance specifically addresses the use of third-party service providers under FERPA. To make the most of this guidance, schools may need to answer a few questions up front. For example, do the third-party service providers require personally identifiable information from students' education records in order to deliver the agreed-upon services? If so, FERPA may permit the disclosure of such records, subject to additional qualifications and requirements. The third-party must (1) perform an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use employees; (2) meet the criteria set forth in the school's annual notification of FERPA rights for being a "school official" with a legitimate educational interest in education records; (3) be under the direct control of the school regarding the use and maintenance of the records; and (4) must use the records only for the authorized purposes and may not disclose such records to other parties, unless given specific permission or authorization (see 34 CFR § 99.31(a)(1)(i)).

When personally identifiable information from education records is disclosed to the provider, FERPA still governs its use, and the school remains responsible for its protection. Additionally, schools should require transparency about how student data obtained or collected under a contract or agreement is used, plans for data security and confidentiality of personally identifiable information, and evidence that the school or district will retain direct control of the use and maintenance of the records.

As schools ramp up virtual classrooms, encourage parents to use third-party educational resources, and allow the use of digital applications, privacy and regulatory compliance considerations need to be front and center. Although this crisis is forcing schools to consider the effects of virtual learning on privacy and legal obligations, virtual education needs are likely to continue well past this current pandemic.

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Online Learning During COVID-19: FERPA Considerations

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Author(s) Erin Jane Illman, Rachel M. LaBruyere This is the third alert in a series of Bradley installments on privacy and cybersecurity issues that may arise during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This installment focuses on privacy concerns related to schools and universities moving to a remote learning structure.