Family Privacy Research Articles

Know how to handle requests for information from students’ potential employers

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations require colleges and universities to keep a record of a disclosure of education records if that disclosure is for nondirectory information released to a third party. The record of the disclosure must include (1) the record(s) disclosed, (2) the party receiving the record(s), and (3) the legitimate interest that the party had in requesting the information. Legitimate interest isn’t defined in the regulations. It's different than, but similar to, our frequently mentioned legitimate educational interest.

The tsarist policy of russification of education and the “unfavorable realities” in Bessarabia (second half of the 19th century)

The article reveals the process of radical transformation of the education system in Bessarabia in the second half of the nineteenth century, as a result of the tightening of the national policy of the Russian Empire and the intensification of the national-cultural Russification of the non-Russian peoples, the attempts of the Czarist authorities to modernize and homogenize the multinational Russian Empire, according to the model of European states. The author highlights two stages of the policy of Russification of education in Bessarabia. The first stage – years 1866-1872 – is characterized by the undermining of Romanian and mixed parochial primary schools (Romanian-Russian), the prohibition of teaching Romanian language at the regional gymnasium, theological seminary, county schools, etc, by creating a Russian primary and secondary education system in Bessarabia. The second stage – years 1873-1900 – is characterized by the attempt to radically transform the linguistic and cultural realities of the Bessarabian villages, causing the exponential growth of the number of Russian schools in rural areas, mass learning of the Russian language by the Romanian peasants in Bessarabia, the imposition of the Russian language not only in state institutions, but also in the privacy of families. The discussions in this regard within the Committee of Ministers of the Russian Empire highlighted the following dilemma: either the application of force to boost the policy of Russification, or the continuation of the policy of gradual Russification.Understanding the impasse that the Russian Empire would have entered, the authorities finally decided to achieve the goals of the policy of russification of the Romanians in Bessarabia, not through repressive methods, but „gradually and without violence”.

Significance of Variants of Uncertain Significance: The Human Cost of Genetic Uncertainty.

This piece narrates the journey of Maria (name of the mother has been altered to protect the family's privacy), a new mother confronting her newborn's unexpected diagnosis of very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency, despite undergoing proactive genetic carrier screening within a consanguineous marriage. It highlights the emotional and systemic challenges arising from the lack of diversity in genetic databases, which, in this case, failed to detect pathogenic variants in Maria and her husband. Maria's story sheds light on situations where a masked variant of uncertain significance (VUS) necessitates consultation with a trained genetics specialist and underscores the urgent need for a more equitable healthcare system.

The experiences of individuals in maintaining a long-distance relationship through social media

This qualitative study explores the dynamics of long-distance romantic relationships (LDRRs) in the digital age. Long-distance relationships (LDRs) have emerged as a testament to the enduring strength of human affection in the face of spatial constraints. However, the dynamics of LDRs in the digital era present a diverse array of emotions, obstacles, and coping mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to understand the distinctive experiences of how social media has had a positive influence on the communication and relationship satisfaction between partners who have experienced long distance. The research, conducted through qualitative methods, involved 8 college students, predominantly females, offering insights into their experiences in current LDRs. Through semi-structured interviews with eight participants aged 18 to 24 in LDRRs, themes emerged regarding social media usage, coping strategies for emotional challenges, insecurities and communication, and the influence of family environments. The theme underscores how digital tools serve as essential resources for maintaining emotional intimacy and strengthening the relationship despite the challenges of distance. It also highlights the importance of familial support, privacy management, and individual resilience in sustaining intimate connections across geographical distances. The findings reveal that social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram are integral to communication in LDRRs, with participants emphasising the importance of voice and video calls for maintaining intimacy. Coping with emotional challenges, including insecurities and feelings of disconnection, involves active communication, transparency, reassurance, and planning activities together. Family environments play a significant role in shaping communication dynamics, with participants navigating constraints on privacy and openness based on familial support or constraints. Overall, this study underscores the vital role of social media in sustaining emotional intimacy and connection in LDRRs. Understanding how individuals utilise social media and cope with challenges can inform interventions to support healthy, fulfilling relationships in the digital age.

The SPPO Complaint Process

If a postsecondary student believes their college or university violated their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the student has a right to file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy office.

The SPPO Complaint Process

If a postsecondary student believes their college or university violated their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the student has a right to file a complaint with the Student Privacy Policy office.

Exploring Design Opportunities for Family-Based Privacy Education in Informal Learning Spaces

Children face increasing privacy risks and the need to navigate complex choices, while privacy education is not sufficient due to limited education scope and family involvement. We advocate for informal learning spaces (ILS) as a pioneering channel for family-based privacy education, given their established role in holistic technology and digital literacy education, which specifically targets family groups. In this paper, we conducted an interview study with eight families to understand revealing current approaches to privacy education and engagement with ILS for family-based learning. Our findings highlight ILS’s transformative potential in family privacy education, considering existing practices and challenges. We discuss the design opportunities for family-based privacy education in ILS, covering goals, content, engagement, and experience design. These insights contribute to future research on family-based privacy education in ILS.

Understand the intersection of FERPA, coaches, and transcript disclosures

A registrar recently asked me for my opinion on a situation involving transcript disclosures and a coach. That situation serves as a good pretext to introduce a very common type of disclosure of education records. As per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act:

Disclosures 12: Request for mailing labels and legitimate educational interest

The most frequent Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act issue that occurs when disclosing education records internally to school officials is assuring that a legitimate educational interest exists before disclosing those education records. And it is important that, in making a disclosure to a school official, we are FERPA‐compliant.

Family Disaster: The Origins of Gender Violence Legislation in Turkey.

This article provides a case study regarding struggles over framing gender violence as a political issue. It looks at how gender violence initially entered political discourse and state legislation in Turkey. It identifies the main political actors as feminists, Islamists, and Kemalists, and examines their impacts on state policy-making processes and outcomes. It argues that, in the Turkish context, the Islamism-Kemalism divide contoured the limits and possibilities of frame institutionalization in legislation and characterized state responses to gender violence through familial ideology, which prioritized family privacy and unity over women's right to live free from violence.

Review SPPO complaint process to defend against FERPA complaints

The Student Privacy Policy Office has a defined process for students or parents who intend to file a complaint alleging Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act violations against a college or university. By understanding the SPPO complaint form, postsecondary institutions can put themselves in a position to communicate with SPPO and defend against a complaint.

Take steps to keep student education records confidential while working remotely

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act generally prohibits postsecondary institutions from disclosing personally identifiable information in a student's education record to a third party without consent. FERPA compliance can be especially challenging for college and university employees who work remotely, as off‐campus offices and networks may be less secure than those on campus. Likewise, when working virtually, individuals may not have stringent protocols for keeping education records and student data secure and avoiding inadvertent disclosures.

Do parents have rights to a dually enrolled student's education records?

Almost 90% of U.S. high schools offer dual enrollment (https://bit.ly/3G0m2go). Students are increasingly taking advantage of opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school. However, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act applies differently to students in secondary schools versus students in postsecondary institutions.

Weaponizing Sport: Exploring the Legal and Policy Implications of Menstrual Tracking for Transgender and Nonbinary Athletes

The intersection of gender identity, sports participation, and health care is increasingly under scrutiny within legal and policy spheres. Specifically, the practice of tracking U.S. high school athletes’ menstrual cycles sustains concerning implications for gender-based discrimination, particularly affecting transgender and nonbinary athletes. This paper examines the legal and policy implications of menstrual tracking in high school athletics, highlighting the potential violations of privacy rights and discrimination against athletes of diverse gender identities. By analyzing existing laws, regulations, and case law, the paper explores the complexities surrounding the practice of menstrual tracking and calls for more inclusive and equitable sports policies. Additionally, it addresses gaps in privacy protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, emphasizing the need for updated regulations to safeguard students’ health-related data in digital environments.

Consider how FERPA applies to coaches, staff accessing student‐athletes’ education records: Part 2

Are coaches school officials? Although the answer can vary from college to college, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations require each college, in its annual FERPA notification to students, to identify who are school officials at their institution. That's where we left it last month.

Know the ins and outs of notifying parents about student suspensions, disciplinary actions

Although some student–parent relationships aren’t all we would like them to be, we do have an obligation to ensure we comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act during any disclosure of education records to parents.

Know when a school official's personal observations are considered education records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act generally prohibits a college or university from disclosing personally identifiable information in a student's education record to a third party without consent. However, in an April 2023 guidance document, the Student Privacy Policy Office explained that “information that a school official obtains through personal knowledge or observation … is generally not protected by FERPA's limitations on the disclosure of education records, even if that information is also contained in an education record” (Student Privacy Policy Office, Guidance for School Officials on Student Health Records, April 12, 2023, bit.ly/3Nu74UK).

Know the ins and outs of notifying parents about student suspensions, disciplinary actions

Although some student–parent relationships aren’t all we would like them to be, we do have an obligation to ensure we comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act during any disclosure of education records to parents.

Review when FERPA allows a college to disclose student education records

Generally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits postsecondary institutions from disclosing personally identifiable information from a student's education record to a third party without the student's consent. However, FERPA permits an educational institution to make a nonconsensual disclosure in certain circumstances. This article explores the various exceptions to FERPA's general consent requirement.

Review the SPPO complaint process to defend privacy violations

The Student Privacy Policy Office has a defined process for students or parents who intend to file a complaint alleging Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act violations against a college or university. By understanding the SPPO complaint form, postsecondary institutions can put themselves in a position to communicate with the SPPO and defend against a complaint.