Is there a private right of action under FERPA?

Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), there is no private right of action for individuals, meaning that students do not have the standing to sue educational institutions directly for violations of the law. Instead, FERPA establishes rights for students related to their education records, but enforcement is typically carried out through complaints to the U.S. Department of Education. This regulatory framework is designed to provide a structured avenue for addressing potential violations rather than allowing individuals to pursue lawsuits independently.

The absence of a private right of action underscores the federal government's role in overseeing compliance with FERPA, focusing on regulatory enforcement rather than litigation. Therefore, students who feel their rights under FERPA have been violated need to utilize the administrative complaint process rather than pursue civil suits against educational institutions.