FOIA Excellence and Equity in Education

Freedom of Information Act

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA is a Federal law that establishes the public’s right to request existing records from Federal government agencies. FOIA sets standards for determining which records must be made available for public inspection and which records can be withheld from disclosure.  

FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552, was enacted in 1966 and generally provides that:

• Any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information.
• All agencies of the U.S. Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them.
• There are nine exemptions to the FOIA that protect certain records from disclosure.
• There are FOIA Statutory Exclusions.

U.S. Department of Education

FOIA Board Policy

FOIA Board Policy 8310 - Public Records

Freedom of Information Act