Parent-Guardian FAQ

Important Information for Parent/Guardians (FERPA)

Now that your student is part of Ventura County Community College District, there are few matters of which you must be made aware. Your student has officially enrolled in an institution of higher education, and as a result, your student is now protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

What does this mean?
When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a post-secondary institution, regardless of age, FERPA rights are transferred from the parent/guardian to the student. Students must act on their own behalf. Parents, guardians, relatives, or friends of VCCCD students are not permitted to enroll, drop, or add classes on behalf of the student. The same applies for transcript requests, record/form status requests, and enrollment verifications

As a parent/guardian, do I have access to my student’s academic records?
Under Section 49061 of the Education Code, parents/guardians of community college students do not have a right to access their children's student records, regardless of whether the student is under the age of 18. In accordance with this regulation, students' academic records may be released to parents/guardians only with the written consent of the student. Students may obtain an Authorization for Release of Information for their parent or guardian in Admissions & Records. Students must be physically present when the Authorization for Release of Information is submitted.

I am a parent/guardian and I need help logging in to, navigating, and/or processing transactions in my student's MyVCCCD account. What should I do?
College officials may only assist the student with access to their MyVCCDD account, which contains records covered under FERPA. Additionally, students are expected to act on their own behalf. Parents, guardians, relatives, or friends of VCCCD students are not permitted to enroll, ask about the students’ enrollment status, inquire on behalf of the student on their records or dual enrollment process, drop, or add classes on behalf of the student.

As a parent/guardian, can I contact my students' instructor regarding course content, assignments and/or grading policy?
Your student is enrolled in a college course and it is important to understand that instructors may only work directly with students, as opposed to the type of parent/guardian interactions you are accustomed to at the high school level. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) instructors are not required to discuss student performance or other student-related issues with parents/guardians.

Faculty establish a syllabus for each course, which include the course content or objectives, assignments, a general guide to the pacing of the course and information about how grades will be determined. Once a student receives the syllabus for the course from the instructor and the student decides to remain enrolled in the course, the syllabus becomes the contract between the student and instructor.

As a parent/guardian, can I request a grade progress report from my student's instructor?
Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) instructors are not required to discuss student performance or other student-related issues with parents/guardians, including progress or grades.

Where can I find out more about FERPA?
Visit the U.S. Department of Education website for more information.