College Bound?
Can I See My Kid’s Class Schedule? (And Other Questions FERPA Laughs At)
Once upon a time, you knew everything: when your child had Algebra, who their lab partner was, and what they had for lunch (because you packed it). But now? You ask, “What’s your schedule like?” and get a shrug, a grunt, or a suspiciously vague “Depends on the day.”
Naturally, your parental Spidey senses tingle. So you ask:
Can I see my student’s class schedule?
Translation: “Can I know what they’re supposed to be doing when they’re clearly not answering my texts?”
Can I see their attendance?
Translation: “I need to know if my child is getting their money’s worth… or sleeping through Econ 101 like it’s a paid nap.
Enter FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act—aka:
The Federal Law That Says Your Kid Is a Grown-Up Now (Sort Of).
Here’s the deal: under FERPA, colleges can’t legally share educational information—including class schedules, grades, or attendance records—with anyone without the student’s consent.
Even if that “anyone” is the human ATM footing the tuition bill. (Yes. You.)
So, what can you do?
Get a Backstage Pass (a.k.a. a FERPA Waiver)
If your student is willing, they can sign a FERPA waiver.
Think of it as a backstage pass to the concert of their college life—only with fewer pyrotechnics and more spreadsheets.
Many schools also offer Parent Portals—online platforms where you can view select academic info if your student grants access.
It’s basically university-sanctioned Facebook stalking, with less drama and more midterm dates.
What Not to Do
- Don’t call the registrar pretending to be your kid. (Yes, they’ve heard that voice before. No, “This is definitely Kyle” doesn’t work.)
- Don’t try GPS-tracking them to see if they’re in Chemistry. (You’ll just find out they’re at Chipotle. Again.)
Embrace the Awkward Transition
College is when students learn to manage their own time… or learn what happens when they don’t.
Either way, hovering rarely helps—but a little humor and trust can go a long way.
So instead of asking, “Did you go to class today?”
Try, “Learn anything fun today?”
(Results may vary. Replies may include “I found a vending machine that takes Apple Pay.”)
Bottom Line
FERPA isn’t your enemy—it’s just your reminder that your kid’s entering adulthood, one forgotten quiz at a time.
Have a heart-to-heart about what info they’re comfortable sharing. And maybe do it before midterms. Trust us—it’s easier than decoding their sleep schedule from across the state.