Which law protects the privacy of student education records?

• A. IDEA
• B. ADA
• C. Section 504
• D. FERPA

Answer: (D)

FERPA protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents and eligible students the right to access those records, request amendments, and limit disclosures without consent. Schools that receive federal funding may disclose education records only in permitted situations, such as to school officials with legitimate educational interests, to other schools during student transfers, or in health or safety emergencies, with privacy protections in place. Directory information can be released without consent unless the family opts out.

The other laws differ in focus: IDEA governs special education services and eligibility, IEP planning, and related supports; ADA and Section 504 address nondiscrimination and required accommodations for students with disabilities. FERPA specifically targets who can see education records and under what circumstances, making it the law that protects privacy of these records.