Some College Students Sign Waivers Allowing Release of Information to Parents

According to a September 20, 2007 article from The Wall Street Journal, there is an increase in the number of colleges offering students the option of signing a waiver that allows confidential information to be shared with their parents. Many parents - especially those who are paying the tuition bill - want access to their students' information so that they can help them stay on track. Some students, however, view this as a threat to their independence. Without the existence of a signed waiver, federal law prohibits colleges from releasing information from a student's record (such as grades or disciplinary history). The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), enacted in 1974, allows - but does not require - a college to release information if the student has provided written permission to do so.

The article is available at the Web site of The Wall Street Journal.