Student Privacy
& Data Rights

Purpose

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents certain rights concerning their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when the student turns 18 or attends a postsecondary institution at any age. The student is then considered an “eligible student.”

Parent and Student Rights Under FERPA

• Inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of a request.
• Request an amendment of records believed to be inaccurate or misleading.
• Provide written consent before personally identifiable information from education records is disclosed, except when FERPA permits disclosure without consent.
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning an alleged FERPA violation.

Annual Notice

Parents and eligible students are notified annually of their rights under FERPA.

U.S. Department of Education Complaint Information (opens in a new tab)

Purpose

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, provides parents and eligible students with certain rights concerning surveys, information collection, marketing activities, and certain physical examinations or screenings conducted in schools.

Parent and Student Rights Under PPRA

Parents and eligible students have the right to:

• Provide consent before a student is required to participate in a U.S. Department of Education-funded survey, analysis, or evaluation concerning:
  • Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or parent.
  • Mental or psychological conditions of the student or family.
  • Sex behavior or attitudes.
  • Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
  • Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student has close family relationships.
  • Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians, or ministers.
  • Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs.
  • Income, except as required to determine program eligibility.
• Opt out of certain surveys containing protected information, activities involving personal information used for marketing or sales, and certain non-emergency physical examinations or screenings.
• Inspect certain survey instruments and instructional materials before they are administered or used.

School Responsibilities

• Provide annual notice of PPRA rights.
• Directly notify families before covered activities and provide an opportunity for consent or opt-out, as applicable.
• Protect student privacy during surveys and information collection.

Official PPRA Information (opens in a new tab)

Our Commitment

The Meliora School is committed to protecting the privacy and security of student data in accordance with FERPA and the Georgia Student Data Privacy, Accessibility, and Transparency Act, O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-660 et seq.

• Student data is collected and used for educational and legally authorized purposes. It is not sold or shared for marketing or commercial gain.
• Parents and guardians may inspect their child’s education records, request corrections, and receive notice of their rights under federal and Georgia law.
• The Georgia Department of Education maintains a public list of the data elements it collects.
• If a data breach affects student information, the school will notify affected families as required by applicable state and federal law.

View Georgia Student Data Elements (opens in a new tab)