Massachusetts law about student records

Massachusetts laws

MGL c.71, §34D  Student records; maintenance, storage, destruction, etc.; inspection by parent or guardian

MGL c.71, §34E Inspection of student records; persons authorized

MGL c.71, §34G Private schools; transfer of transcripts upon ceasing operation

MGL c.71, §34H Non-custodial parents, access to records

Massachusetts regulations

603 CMR 23: Student Records

Federal laws

20 USC 1232g: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Federal regulations

34 CFR 99: Family Educational Rights and Privacy

Web sources

Student records: Questions, answers and guidelines, Mass. Dept. of Education

Massachusetts privacy of school records laws, Findlaw
Chart provides summary of state law on access to student records.

The school records access law can promote children's safety and education at school and home, Mass. Legal Help
Explains records law in a question and answer format.

FERPA general guidance for students, US Dept. of Education, April 2020
"The following guidance provides eligible students with general information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)."

A parent's guide to FERPA, US Dept. of Education, July 2021
"This document was updated in July of 2021 and is intended to provide parents with general information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This document is a compilation and update of various letters and guidance documents previously issued that respond to a variety of questions about FERPA."

Print sources

Consumer law, 3^rd ed. (Mass Practice v. 36) Thomson Reuters, 2010 with 2020 supplement. Section 23:2, Records of Public School Students and Section 23:3, Student transcripts.

Family law and practice, 4^th ed. (Mass Practice v. 2A) Thomson Reuters 2013 with 2021 supplement. Section 61:29, Access by the non-custodial parent.  

FERPA and school safety: understanding the rules for permissible disclosure, LRP Publications, 2015.

Lawfully managing student records without violating privacy rights, by Sandy A. Curko, Deborah Hemdal, Corey F. Higgins, and Peter Maher, National Business Institute, 2015.

Municipal law and practice, 5^th ed. (Mass Practice Municipal Law and Practice, 5^th ed. (Mass Practice v. 18B)  Thomson Reuters 2006 with 2021 supplement. Section 22.48, Records v. 18B)  Thomson Reuters 2006 with 2021 supplement. Section 22.48, Records. 

School law in Massachusetts, 3^rd ed,  with 2020 supplement, MCLE, looseleaf, Chapter 9A, Student Records. 

Last updated:	September 13, 2021