Why Grades Cannot be Sent via Email, Telephone, or to Parents

The The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, sets forth requirements designed to protect the privacy of student educational records. The law governs access to records maintained by educational institutions and the release of information from those records.

Email has two problems:

• First, the instructor cannot know who has sent email. Because email can be spoofed (sent as though from one person, but really sent by another, it is not possible to verify who has sent a request for a grade when it is sent via Email.
• Second, Email is not private. That means that other people can read Email in transit. Thus, even if an instructor could verify that the request for information came from the appropriate person, there is no way to guarantee that it is private once it is sent via email.

Grades Cannot be given by Telephone for the same reasons.

Solution 1: Send requests for grades via Postal Mail or deliver them to the university office of the professor. Include Student record number, a signed request for release of the information, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. It is a federal crime to forge the signature of another person or to deliver mail to the wrong person; therefore, postal mail is considered a secure way to send information regarding grades and other private information relating to a student.

Solution 2: Use the campus secure system for reviewing grades.

Solution 3: Write your congressman and request that the FERPA law be changed.