FERPA and Family Support
Although the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) limits some aspects of communication with a student's family, it is still possible to be supportive of them and engage with their concerns. This webpage serves as a guide for how to provide support while being mindful of the legal constraints of FERPA.
Safe Conversations
The following topics can be safely communicated with a student’s family:
- General information about the course, how it operates, expectations, etc.
- Details about the college or department, including academic program requirements
- NC State Policies, Regulations & Rules
- Recommended resources and support programs available to students
Private Information
The following topics cannot be communicated with a student’s family without a confirmed FERPA waiver:
- Confirmation of specific student enrollment
- Specific student performance in any course (including a student’s grade)
- Any other personally identifiable information about a specific student, which could include, but is not limited to:
- name, gender, race, residency status, class schedule, financial accounting information, disciplinary records, photographs and email addresses
If you are uncertain whether or not something could be a FERPA violation, err on the side of caution. Avoid sharing these details and reframe the conversation as if to address any general audience.
How to Support Parents or Families
If you find yourself engaged in communication with a parent or family member, keep these tips in mind to make the exchange as supportive as possible:
- You can provide support for these individuals without sharing any private information. Offer potential resources for next steps.
- Avoid terms that would negatively frame a parent or family member’s concerns such as “helicopter,” “bulldozer,” “snowplow,” etc.Â
- Whenever possible, remind family members that students are responsible for their own academic progress and performance.
- Whether or not a student chooses to disclose any of this information with anyone is at the student’s discretion, not a faculty member or instructor’s discretion.
- Share the below contact information about Parents and Families Services (PFS) as a resource for potential follow-up conversations and additional support.
Additional Resources
Learn more about family access to student records and student confidentiality, or browse supportive resources for students.