What is FERPA, and what are teacher responsibilities regarding student records?

• A. Federal privacy law protecting student information; limit disclosures, maintain confidentiality, and manage records responsibly
• B. A district policy for grading
• C. A state science standard
• D. An international education treaty

Answer: (A)

FERPA is a federal privacy law that protects the privacy of student education records. It applies to schools that receive federal funds and gives parents and eligible students the right to access records and to control how information is disclosed. For teachers, this means handling student information with care: share records only with people who have a legitimate educational need, avoid discussing grades or personal data in public or insecure places, keep both paper and digital records secure and accurate, and obtain written consent before disclosing non-directory information unless a permitted exception applies. Directory information can be shared without consent unless the family opts out. In practice, this translates to following secure systems and district procedures, limiting access to student data, and safeguarding confidentiality. This isn’t about a grading policy, a state standard, or an international treaty.