If you work in education, you already know FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. You might even toss it around in meetings like it’s your favorite acronym. But there’s a lesser-known sidekick that helps schools stay compliant and secure: the humble shredder.
Yes, really.
FERPA isn’t just about who can view student records, it’s also about how you dispose of them when you’re done. And if your campus still has stacks of old files quietly aging in a storage closet, this is your cue to act.
Quick Refresher: What is FERPA?
FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents (and later, eligible students) the right to access, review, and request corrections to their records. It also limits who can view these records without permission.
It covers a wide range of information, grades, attendance, disciplinary notes, health data, ID numbers, basically anything that could reasonably identify a student. And it applies to almost every school that receives federal funding.
Here’s the kicker: FERPA doesn’t stop at digital files. Paper records are included, too.
Where Shredding Fits In
Think of FERPA as a privacy contract: you protect student data while you use it and when you no longer need it. Tossing records in the trash or leaving them in an open box isn’t just sloppy, it could be a compliance violation.
Shredding ensures sensitive student information never becomes public. It’s the final step in the life cycle of a student record, and it matters more than you might think.
What Should You Shred?
If it has a student’s name, ID number, or any identifying detail, it should be shredded when no longer needed. Common examples include:
- Printed grade reports
- Class rosters with student IDs
- Disciplinary records
- Copies of transcripts
- Health and immunization forms
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) documentation
- Even sticky notes with test scores
Common FERPA + Shredding Mistakes
- The stash-and-forget technique: Leaving records in unlocked cabinets or “temporary” storage for years.
- The bin toss: Putting papers in the trash or recycling without destroying them first.
- The mail fail: Sending physical documents without a plan for secure disposal afterward.
Best Practices for FERPA-Compliant Shredding
- Use a cross-cut shredder or a certified shredding service
Strip-cut shredders aren’t secure enough. Partner with a reputable service that provides a Certificate of Destruction. - Train staff on what to shred
Keep a “Shred This, Not That” cheat sheet in copy rooms and offices. - Shred regularly
Schedule routine purges based on retention policies instead of waiting for an office clean-out. - Secure storage before shredding
Keep documents in locked bins or cabinets until destruction.
Eco-Friendly Bonus
Secure shredding isn’t wasteful. Many shredding providers, including Applied Innovation’s NAID AAA Certified® Shredding Services, recycle the shredded paper. That means you can protect student privacy and the planet at the same time.
Final Thought
Shredding might seem small compared to FERPA’s big-picture privacy protections, but it’s the final line of defense. Pairing strong FERPA practices with secure shredding protects your students, your staff, and your institution’s reputation.
Next time you hear the whir of a shredder, don’t roll your eyes, give it some credit. It’s doing the quiet work of keeping you compliant, secure, and professional.
Ready to protect student data and stay FERPA-compliant?
Let’s make it simple. Explore our Secure Shredding Services to set up a routine, one-time purge, or hard drive destruction that fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
FERPA-compliant shredding is the secure destruction of student education records—both paper and digital—in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. It ensures personally identifiable information (PII) like grades, transcripts, health forms, and class rosters cannot be reconstructed or accessed after disposal. The most secure methods use cross-cut shredders or NAID AAA Certified® shredding services, which provide a Certificate of Destruction and recycle the shredded material to protect both privacy and the environment.
Any record containing student PII should be securely shredded when no longer needed. Examples include grade reports, class rosters, disciplinary files, transcripts, health records, IEPs, and even handwritten notes with student information.
Shredding prevents unauthorized access to sensitive student information after its retention period has expired. Without proper destruction, old records left in storage or discarded in regular trash could lead to data breaches and FERPA violations.