How To Write A Reference Letter

This article outlines several key considerations when serving as an employment reference including discrimination laws, FERPA and other suggested guidelines such as:

• Before disclosing educational information covered by FERPA (e.g. student’s transcripts, GPA, grades, and so forth) faculty and/or school personnel must obtain the written consent of the student. Failure to obtain such consent may constitute a violation of FERPA.
• Candidly discuss with the student or job applicant the type of reference that you will provide before you give a reference.
• Do not include information that might indicate the individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, sex (unless by the individual’s name it is obvious), or marital status.
• Don’t guess or speculate. If someone asks you questions regarding personal characteristics about which you have no knowledge, state that you have no knowledge.
• Be able to document all information you release.
• State in the reference letter, “This information is confidential, should be treated as such, and is provided at the request of [name of student or applicant], who has asked me to serve as a reference.” Statements such as this give justification for the communication and leave no doubt that the information was not given to hurt a person’s reputation.

To view all considerations and guidelines, read the full article provided by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).