Can educational institutions disclose information under FERPA to comply with a court order?

Educational institutions can indeed disclose information under FERPA to comply with a court order. This provision is significant as it recognizes that there may be legal requirements where complying with a court order supersedes the typical restrictions on sharing educational records. When a court issues an order demanding specific information, institutions are compelled to comply, ensuring they are acting within the law.

This allows educational institutions to fulfill their legal obligations while providing necessary information to the courts, which might be essential for legal proceedings. It is important to note that this does not mean that all educational records are available; rather, only the specific information requested in the court order can be disclosed.

Options that imply a blanket prohibition of disclosure, or those that add conditions such as notifying students or restricting the type of records that can be disclosed are not consistent with the allowances provided by FERPA.