What law protects the privacy of student education records?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is the correct answer because it specifically governs the privacy of student education records. Enacted in 1974, FERPA provides parents with certain rights concerning their children's education records, including the right to access those records and to request amendments to them if they believe they are inaccurate or misleading. Once students reach the age of 18 or attend a school beyond the high school level, these rights transfer to the student.

This law is essential for protecting student privacy and ensuring that educational institutions handle student records with confidentiality. Schools that receive federal funding must comply with FERPA regulations, which include obtaining written consent from parents or eligible students before disclosing personally identifiable information from education records, with certain exceptions.

Other options do not primarily focus on the privacy of educational records. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) addresses how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to children with disabilities, while the Equal Access to Justice Act relates to legal fees in certain cases. The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, meanwhile, promotes drug and violence prevention programs within schools, but does not specifically address student record privacy. Thus, FERPA is distinctly positioned as the legislation focused on