What considerations should schools take regarding electronic records?

Ensuring that electronic records are secured and only accessible to authorized individuals is a critical consideration for schools under FERPA. This regulation heavily emphasizes the protection of student educational records, which includes any records stored electronically. By securing these records, schools help to maintain student privacy and prevent unauthorized access that could lead to data breaches or misuse of personal information.

Implementing access controls, such as passwords and encryption, and conducting regular audits ensures compliance with FERPA's requirements for safeguarding student information. This helps institutions protect sensitive data and uphold their responsibilities to students and parents, fostering trust and maintaining the integrity of educational records. Such security measures reflect best practices in record management and are essential for any institution handling personal and academic information.