FERPA
Through the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents have the right to access their children’s education records. When a student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student.
Parents who wish to access private educational records or act on behalf of their college student must have their student’s written consent.
FERPA: Student Rights
El Camino students have the right to inspect and review their education records within 45 days after the day the college receives the request.
- Students should submit a written request to the registrar, identifying the record(s) they wish to inspect.
- Notification will be sent to the student when the records are ready for review.
Students have the right to request amendments to education records they believe to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy rights under FERPA.
- Change requests should be sent in writing to the registrar.
- All changes should be clearly identified.
- Details about why the change is needed should be provided.
- If a request is denied, the student will be notified in writing.
- The student has a right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.
- Hearing procedures will be provided.
Students have the right to provide written consent before El Camino discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from their education records.
- Exception: FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent to ECC officials with legitimate
educational interests.
- ECC officials include college employees in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee.
- May include a volunteer or contractor outside of ECC who performs an institutional service, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent, or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks.
- An ECC official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill professional responsibilities for the college.
- ECC may disclose education records without written consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Typically, any disclosure is initiated by the student.
El Camino students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
El Camino Student Directory Information
Directory information regarding El Camino students is released only upon the registrar’s approval, in Admissions & Records. Students may request that directory information not be released by submitting the FERPA Directory Information & Opt-Out Form.
Directory information can include:
- Name
- Photograph
- Dates of attendance
- Enrollment status (e.g., full time, part time)
- Class standing (e.g., freshman, sophomore)
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height for athletes
- Most recent educational institution attended
- Degrees, certificates, honors, awards received
- Major
Student Information
Student Information: Admissions & Records
El Camino’s Office of Admissions & Records (A&R) maintains the following student record information:
- Demographic data supplied by the student through the enrollment process
- Transcripts of college work
- Transcripts of high school work if supplied by the student and needed in A&R
- Placement test data
- Semester/term class enrollment data
- Residency determination documentation
To review information regarding these items, contact Admissions & Records.
Additional Student Information
Additional information maintained in other El Camino offices may include:
- Financial aid information on students who have applied for this program
- Contact the Director of Financial Aid to review information
- EOPS application information on students who applied for this program
- Contact the Director of Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) to review information
- Work experience records for students who have taken work experience courses within
the past three years
- Contact the Dean or Director of the program to review information
- Discipline records
- Contact the Director of Student Development to review information
Questions? Contact Us
Admissions & Records
El Camino College
310-660-3593 x3414
Student Services, First Floor