According to FERPA, if Sarah's parents choose to pursue the matter further, they can request...

• A. That a note documenting their dispute with the record be placed in Sarah's file
• B. That the school holds a formal hearing on the matter
• C. A conference with the principal to discuss grades
• D. A personal meeting with the teacher to review the record

Answer: (B)

Under FERPA, when parents dispute the accuracy or completeness of information in a student’s education records, they have the right to a formal hearing as a next step if the school does not amend the record. This formal hearing provides a structured, impartial process for both sides to present evidence about the record’s content, and a determination is made on whether the record should be amended. That’s why requesting a formal hearing is the correct choice—it directly aligns with FERPA’s remedy for challenges to record content.

A note documenting the dispute can be added in some cases, but it’s not the primary process for resolving the dispute. Informal conferences with the principal or a personal meeting with the teacher do not constitute the formal adjudicative procedure FERPA requires for contesting the record.