FERPA protects what?

FERPA protects what?

• A. Privacy of student education records and governs access and disclosure
• B. Curriculum development plans
• C. School funding formulas
• D. Teacher certification records

Answer: (A)

FERPA is about protecting the privacy of student education records and setting rules for who can access or disclose those records. Education records are any information directly related to a student that a school or school district keeps, such as grades, attendance, disciplinary records, or communications with teachers. The rights to these records typically belong to the parents until the student turns 18 or enters a postsecondary institution, at which point the rights transfer to the student. Disclosures of those records generally require written consent from the parent or eligible student, with important exceptions—for example, school officials who have a legitimate educational interest, or certain information that can be shared as directory information unless a family opts out. This framework is what ensures that student information is shared only in appropriate ways and with proper authorization. The other options don’t fit because FERPA does not govern curriculum development plans, how schools are funded, or records related to teacher certification. It specifically governs privacy and access to education records.

FERPA is about protecting the privacy of student education records and setting rules for who can access or disclose those records. Education records are any information directly related to a student that a school or school district keeps, such as grades, attendance, disciplinary records, or communications with teachers. The rights to these records typically belong to the parents until the student turns 18 or enters a postsecondary institution, at which point the rights transfer to the student.

Disclosures of those records generally require written consent from the parent or eligible student, with important exceptions—for example, school officials who have a legitimate educational interest, or certain information that can be shared as directory information unless a family opts out. This framework is what ensures that student information is shared only in appropriate ways and with proper authorization.

The other options don’t fit because FERPA does not govern curriculum development plans, how schools are funded, or records related to teacher certification. It specifically governs privacy and access to education records.