What does FERPA protect?

What does FERPA protect?

• A. Confidentiality of medical information.
• B. Privacy of staff personal data.
• C. Student educational records privacy.
• D. Access to cafeteria menus.

Answer: (C)

FERPA protects the privacy of student educational records. This means information in a student’s records—such as grades, attendance, disciplinary notes, transcripts, and other personally identifiable data kept by the school—cannot be shared without proper consent or an approved exception. It also grants rights for parents and eligible students to inspect and request amendments to those records. This protection is distinct from HIPAA, which covers medical information, and FERPA doesn’t apply to staff personal data or cafeteria menus unless those records contain student education information.

FERPA protects the privacy of student educational records. This means information in a student’s records—such as grades, attendance, disciplinary notes, transcripts, and other personally identifiable data kept by the school—cannot be shared without proper consent or an approved exception. It also grants rights for parents and eligible students to inspect and request amendments to those records. This protection is distinct from HIPAA, which covers medical information, and FERPA doesn’t apply to staff personal data or cafeteria menus unless those records contain student education information.