What does the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) ensure for students and their parents?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is primarily focused on protecting the privacy of students’ educational records and ensuring that students and their parents have access to these records. The act grants parents and eligible students (students over 18 years of age or those attending an institution of higher education) the right to access all official school records concerning the student, which includes grades, disciplinary records, and other educational records maintained by the school.

This access is fundamental as it empowers parents and students to review and challenge the accuracy of the records, ensuring transparency and accountability within educational institutions. Additionally, FERPA establishes guidelines on who can access these records and under what conditions, thereby maintaining the confidentiality of the information contained within them.

The other options do not align with the core purpose of FERPA. Access to non-academic school activities, exemption from school rules, and confidentiality of conversations with teachers are outside the scope of the rights guaranteed by FERPA. The focus of this legislation is primarily on the rights related to educational records, making access to all official school records the correct response.