The Balance
Directory information enables schools to operate normally—publishing honor rolls, athletic rosters, and yearbooks—while still protecting family privacy through opt-out rights. Understanding this balance is essential for compliant operations.
What Qualifies as Directory Information
FERPA allows schools to designate certain information as "directory information" that can be disclosed without consent. Commonly designated items include: student name, address, telephone number, email address, photograph, date and place of birth, grade level, enrollment status, participation in activities and sports, weight and height for athletic teams, degrees and awards received, and most recent school attended.
Schools can designate some or all of these categories. They are not required to designate any directory information—it's optional.
Requirements for Directory Information
Public Notice
Schools must provide annual public notice identifying which categories are designated as directory information. This is typically included in student handbooks.
Opt-Out Rights
Parents must have reasonable time to opt out of directory information disclosure. Schools must honor opt-out requests—if a parent opts out, that student's directory information cannot be released without consent.
Recording Opt-Outs
Schools need systems to track which families have opted out and ensure those preferences are enforced across all disclosure situations.
FERPA Compliance
Ensure your data practices meet FERPA requirements and protect student privacy.
Common Uses of Directory Information
- • Honor roll publications
- • Athletic rosters and programs
- • Yearbooks
- • Graduation programs
- • School newsletters
- • Drama and music programs
- • School website student recognition
What's NOT Directory Information
Important: These cannot be designated as directory information: Social Security numbers, student ID numbers that can be used for authentication, grades and GPA, discipline records, special education status, and free/reduced lunch status.
Best Practices
- • Designate only what you actually need to disclose
- • Provide clear opt-out procedures and adequate time
- • Maintain accurate opt-out records accessible to all staff who might disclose
- • Train staff on checking opt-out status before disclosure
- • Consider limiting disclosure even when permitted
Resources & Guides
Access implementation guides, best practices, and training materials for your team.
Key Takeaways
- Directory information is student data schools can share without consent after proper notice and opt-out opportunity.
- Schools must provide annual notice and honor opt-out requests.
- SSNs, student IDs used for authentication, grades, and discipline records can never be directory information.
Marcus Johnson
Director of Data Science
Data scientist specializing in educational analytics with expertise in growth modeling and predictive analytics for student outcomes.
