FERPA: requesting your child's school records
FERPA gives you the right to see your child's school records — including the incident and investigation files. Here's how to ask.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that gives parents the right to inspect and review their child's education records. That can include the school's own incident reports and the records it created while investigating — which is how you get the school's paper trail, in its own words.
How to request
- 1
Put it in writing to the principal
Identify the records you want to inspect (incident reports, investigation records, related communications).
- 2
The school must respond promptly
FERPA requires access within a reasonable time and no more than 45 days after the request. Some states require faster access.
- 3
Review and take notes
You can review the records and keep your own notes; ask about copies.
- 4
Ask to amend if needed
If you believe a record is inaccurate, FERPA lets you ask the school to amend it.
“Under FERPA, I request to inspect and review my child [name]'s education records, including any incident reports, investigation records, and communications related to the bullying I reported on [dates]. Please let me know when and where I can review them.”
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General information — not legal advice