Proposed FERPA Rules

[Rodney Petersen <rpetersen () EDUCAUSE EDU>]

Please excuse the cross posts.

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a series of new initiatives to Safeguard Student Privacy, including the 
appointment of the Department's first Chief Privacy Officer, launch of a Privacy Technical Assistance Center, 
publication of a new series of Technical Briefs, and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) - see press release at  
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-education-department-launches-initiatives-safeguard-student-privacy

The NPRM (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-08/pdf/2011-8205.pdf) proposes new regulations that "would give 
states the flexibility to share data to ensure that taxpayer funds are invested wisely in effective programs, as well 
as increase accountability for institutions that handle FERPA protected records" according to the press release.  The 
NPRM emphasizes that the changes are necessary to protect the privacy of education records while allowing for the 
effective use of data in statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDS) as envisioned in the COMPETES Act and ARRA.

The EDUCAUSE Washington Office is preparing an analysis of the proposed rules and will seek member input.  We also 
intend to collaborate with other higher education associations in the preparation of our comments to the NPRM.  Please 
let us know if you have any comments, questions, or concerns.

Thank you,

-Rodney Petersen

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Rodney J. Petersen
Senior Government Relations Officer &
Managing Director of Washington Office
EDUCAUSE

1150 18th Street, N.W., Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 331-5368 / (202) 872-4200
www.educause.edu
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