FERPA is the law most closely associated with protecting student privacy in schools. Which option correctly identifies this law?

• A. FERPA
• B. IDEA
• C. HIPAA
• D. ADA

Answer: (A)

This focuses on how student records are protected in schools. FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is the law that governs who can see a student’s education records and under what circumstances. It gives parents and eligible students the right to inspect and review education records, request amendments, and limits the disclosure of those records without consent. It applies to any educational institution that receives federal funding, and the rights transfer to the student when they turn 18 or enter a postsecondary institution.

The other laws address different needs. IDEA is about free appropriate public education for students with disabilities and the services they receive. ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures accessibility in programs and services. HIPAA protects privacy of health information in medical contexts, not the standard education records governed by FERPA.