What federal law governs the privacy of student education records?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is the federal law that governs the privacy of student education records. Enacted in 1974, FERPA provides parents and eligible students (students who are 18 years of age or older) with specific rights regarding the access, privacy, and security of student education records. This law ensures that educational institutions, such as schools and universities, cannot disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records without consent, except under certain circumstances defined by the law.

FERPA also allows students to review their records and request corrections to inaccurate or misleading information. Understanding FERPA is essential for education professionals, as they must ensure compliance with its regulations to protect student privacy and uphold their rights, thereby fostering trust within the educational environment. In contrast, the other options pertain to different areas of privacy or regulation that do not specifically address education records.