Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act-FERMA

Here, I will try to explain the different rules and regulations that are applicable to students, teachers and other staff as per the FERPA regulations. These rules and regulations can be explained to special education and or general staff members with regards to professional development sessions or small group activities in the following ways:

·        Each case study given in the document can be explained to the group who have assembled for each group activity or development session in a “word of mouth” manner and then each case can be discussed, along with the right ways to handle each case.

·        Parents or students who have experienced problems or who are still experiencing problems can be invited to join the discussion and then a panel can review their problem and solve it then and there. By using this method, the witnesses (the other members or teachers will be able to see where the problem lies and they can also understand the various nuances of the rules)

·        Role-plays can be conducted by using the data given in this document. That is, teachers can play the role of children or parents and parents can take the place of teachers. This exchange of information can help everybody taking part in the discussion to understand the rules and regulations given by FERMA better.

·        The directions and guidelines that should be followed during emergency situations should be given prime importance and teachers should be given a briefing on what kind of information and how much information can be imparted to the parents or children in case of an emergency

Following the rules and regulations given in the document will impart a sense of professional discipline to teachers and educational staff. It could also help in the development of proper organisational framework in schools, according to FERMA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).