A Dear Colleague letter was sent on March 28th by Frank E. Miller, Jr., Acting Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO), notifying Chief State School Officers and Superintendents of their legal obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The SPPO letter lists several areas of concern: parental right to inspect education records, safety of students, annual notification rights, military recruitment, and assurance of compliance. The letter indicates that some school or state policies might conflict with FERPA provisions that permit parents to review their children’s records. It emphasizes that schools creating “Gender Plans” for students must allow parents to inspect or review those documents. Additionally, SPPO guidance advises school administrators not to withhold information from parents if it identifies another student who has made death threats against their child. While parents of both students have the right to see this information, schools must avoid sharing disciplinary details unless directly relevant to both students. Schools may inform parents that measures are being implemented and can take steps to ensure student safety. Finally, the guidance reminds schools to notify parents of their rights and to provide military recruiters with greater access to student information unless parents opt out. 

Access the guidance letter here.