How to Request Your Child’s School Records (FERPA Guide for Parents)
If you’re in a dispute with your child’s school, preparing for an IEP meeting, or simply want a complete copy of their file, you have the right to request your child’s educational records.
This guide explains:
How to request school records in Massachusetts
What counts as an educational record
How long schools have to respond
Whether schools can charge for copies
Step 1: Put Your Request in Writing
Always make your school records request in writing. Be clear and specific about what you want. For example:
“All educational records for the past two school years”
“All discipline records for my child”
“Any and all emails between teachers and administrators referencing my child”
Being specific helps avoid delays and ensures you get the documents you need.
Step 2: Know Your Legal Rights (FERPA)
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents have the right to:
Inspect and review their child’s educational records
Request copies of those records
Receive the records within a reasonable time (no more than 45 days)
Step 3: Understand Your Massachusetts Rights
In addition to FERPA, Massachusetts has its own Student Records Regulations (603 CMR 23.00), which give parents even stronger protections. Key differences include:
Shorter Timeline: Schools must provide access to student records within 10 days of your request (much faster than FERPA’s 45 days).
Broad Definition of Records: Includes all information concerning the student that is kept by the school, regardless of format.
Two Parts to the Record:
Temporary Record: Includes special education records, discipline reports, and health information; must be destroyed within five years after the student leaves the district.
Permanent Record: Includes name, address, course grades, and transcript; kept for at least 60 years.
Advocacy Tip: Because the “temporary record” can be destroyed after five years, it’s important to request and keep your own copy while your child is still in school.
Step 4: What Counts as “Educational Records”?
Educational records aren’t just the student file in the main office. They may include:
Cumulative files (grades, attendance, test scores)
Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents
Emails about your child between school staff
Teacher notes from meetings
Phone call logs or incident reports
Video or audio recordings
Step 5: Ask About Copy Fees
Schools can charge a reasonable fee for making copies, but:
They cannot charge for searching or retrieving the records
Fees cannot be so high that they prevent you from accessing the records
Always ask for the per-page cost and an estimate before copies are made
Advocacy Tip: Keep copies of all correspondence, including your written request and any emails with the school. If there’s a dispute later, this documentation can be critical
If you want a clear, legally strong request, or need to follow up after a delay, contact Noble Education Law today. Our team helps parents throughout Massachusetts protect their rights and access critical student records
