Which act governs privacy and the handling of student records for federally funded schools?

• A. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• B. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• C. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• D. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer: (A)

FERPA protects the privacy of student education records in schools that receive federal funds. It gives students and parents the right to inspect and review records, request corrections, and control disclosures. In general, schools may share information with school officials who have a legitimate educational interest and may release directory information unless a parent opts out. This framework specifically governs how student data is stored, accessed, and shared in federally funded schools, making it the applicable law for student records.

IDEA covers special education services and required IEP processes, not the broad privacy and handling of all student records. ADA focuses on disability rights and accessibility, not how student records are managed. HIPAA governs health information privacy in medical contexts, not the standard education records kept by schools.