The Most Surprising FERPA Violation Examples for Students You Didn’t Know About highlight how privacy breaches in education are often more common than we think. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was created to protect students’ educational records and personally identifiable information, yet violations occur in subtle and surprising ways. Many of these incidents are not malicious but result from a lack of awareness among educators, administrators, or even students themselves.
Understanding these violations is crucial because they can impact students’ privacy, academic integrity, and future opportunities. From posting grades publicly to disclosing sensitive information on social media, FERPA breaches often go unnoticed until they cause harm. By reviewing real-life examples of FERPA violations, students and educators can better safeguard personal information and avoid unintentional breaches of trust.
What Is FERPA And Why Does It Matter?
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law enacted in 1974 that protects the privacy of student education records. It applies to all schools receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Education. Under FERPA:
- Students and parents have the right to access educational records.
- Schools must keep these records private unless they have consent from the student (if over 18) or parents (if under 18).
- Schools must notify families annually of their FERPA rights.
Violations of FERPA can occur in many ways, some obvious and others surprisingly subtle. To make this clearer, let’s break them down into categories.
Improper Disclosure Of Student Information
One of the most common FERPA violation examples is the improper sharing of grades, personal details, or academic performance with unauthorized individuals.
Common Examples Of Improper Disclosure:
- Sharing Grades And Information
- Accidentally emailing grades to the wrong recipient.
- Posting grades on a public platform with student names visible.
- Public Announcements
- A teacher announcing which students failed or excelled in front of the class.
- Discussing a student’s health or disciplinary status in public.
- Unauthorized Sharing With Third Parties
- Providing student records to contractors without signed FERPA-compliant agreements.
- Recommendations Without Consent
- Including GPA or academic details in a letter of recommendation without written consent.
Record Security And Access
Another major area where FERPA violations occur involves the mishandling of physical or digital student records. Even small mistakes can put sensitive information at risk.
Examples Of Record Security Violations:
- Unsecured Records
- Leaving student files on a desk accessible to visitors.
- Saving student data on an unprotected shared drive.
- Improper Disposal
- Throwing away student papers without shredding them.
- Recycling old student files without secure destruction.
- Insecure Online Platforms
- Using unencrypted emails to share student data.
- Uploading documents to platforms that lack security measures.
- Denying Access To Students Or Parents
- Refusing to allow students or parents access to official records within the legal timeframe.
Other FERPA Violation Examples
Some FERPA violations happen because schools fail to meet ongoing obligations, such as annual notifications or limiting access to those with a legitimate educational interest.
Notable Examples:
- Lack Of Annual Notification: Schools must inform students and families of their FERPA rights yearly. Failing to do so is a violation.
- Access Without Educational Interest: Staff members who are not directly involved in a student’s education accessing records without a valid reason.
FERPA Violations By Students Themselves
Interestingly, FERPA violation examples are not limited to schools or administrators. Students themselves can unknowingly commit violations if they share sensitive academic information of others.
Sharing Information Without Consent
- Emailing To The Wrong Recipient: Sending another student’s grades to a peer.
- Public Posting Of Grades: Pinning assignment results on a bulletin board.
- Social Media Disclosure: Sharing test results, GPA, or disciplinary actions online.
Improper Handling And Storage
- Unsecured Records: Leaving USB drives with sensitive student data lying around.
- Improper Disposal: Throwing away graded papers without destroying identifying details.
- Third-Party Sharing: Uploading class data to apps or tools without FERPA-compliant agreements.
Unauthorized Disclosure Of Student Identity
- Releasing Information To Parents: Schools disclosing student academic records to parents without consent once the student is 18 or older.
- Discussing Sensitive Information: Conversations about disciplinary actions outside appropriate channels.
- Posting Photos Or Videos Without Consent: Uploading identifiable student images online, especially when linked to academic or behavioral performance.
Table Of Common FERPA Violation Examples
| Category | Example | Why It’s A Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Improper Disclosure | Posting grades publicly with names | Identifies students without consent |
| Public Announcements | Discussing health/academic standing publicly | Reveals private information |
| Record Security | Leaving student files unsecured | Exposes data to unauthorized individuals |
| Improper Disposal | Throwing records in trash | Allows recovery of sensitive data |
| Insecure Platforms | Using unencrypted email for student data | Increases risk of data breaches |
| Denying Access | Refusing to release student records on request | Violates access rights under FERPA |
| Lack Of Annual Notification | Not informing students/parents of rights yearly | Breaches school’s legal obligations |
| Unauthorized Sharing With Vendors | Giving data to third-party apps without agreements | Risks improper use of student information |
| Social Media Disclosure | Sharing student grades or photos on platforms | Public release without consent |
| Parental Disclosure (18+) | Sharing academic records with parents without consent | Violates rights of adult students |
Key Takeaways For Students And Educators
To avoid FERPA violations, it is important to remember the following:
- Always get consent before sharing student information, especially when it includes identifiable details.
- Secure all records physically and digitally.
- Destroy documents properly when they are no longer needed.
- Do not assume social media is harmless—public posts can still count as violations.
- Review school policies to ensure compliance with annual notifications and access rights.
Conclusion
The Most Surprising FERPA Violation Examples for Students You Didn’t Know About show that breaches can occur in ways most people do not expect—from casual conversations and social media posts to mishandling paper records. Both educators and students must remain vigilant to protect sensitive academic information and comply with federal law. By being aware of these risks, schools can maintain trust, protect privacy, and ensure that every student’s rights remain secure under FERPA.
