A recent study reveals that confusion over the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) isn’t limited to students or parents. It extends to university officials themselves. 

Richard Rainsberger, a former university registrar, conducted a nationwide survey to understand how FERPA is interpreted and applied across the states. The results point to some inconsistencies. 

The study found that 38 state public record laws reference FERPA as a basis for exempting education records from disclosure. However, in some states like Montana and West Virginia, the language surrounding those exemptions is vague or unclear. 

In addition, 11 states do not consider basic directory information, such as a student’s name, major, or enrollment status, to be public, even though FERPA allows such information to be released unless a student formally opts out. 

You can read the full study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/emt.31405?casa_token=x6_UTg80kpkAAAAA%3AFkt4gXnrKBTe1HMoyJKMPfGEURqrL3Gues_aQF9U_hCzPE8SJHJWoSv-deDPM7W2met1a5FzWVCx 

Posted: August 7, 2025
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner FOI Project, Brechner Freedom of Information Project, open records laws, public records, Secrecy Tracker