How can a student protect their FERPA rights?

A student can protect their FERPA rights primarily by opting out of sharing information with third parties. FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, grants students certain rights regarding their education records, including the right to control who has access to their personal information. When a student opts out of sharing their information with third parties, they are exercising their right to privacy as outlined in FERPA.

This means they can prevent educational institutions from disclosing information such as their grades, course schedules, or personal details without their explicit consent. By proactively making this choice, students safeguard their educational records from unauthorized access, thereby reinforcing their FERPA protections. This choice empowers students to maintain control over their educational information and ensures their privacy rights are upheld.

The other options involve actions that do not specifically relate to the safeguarding of FERPA rights, such as changing educational settings or the number of courses taken, which do not directly impact how personal information is shared or protected under FERPA.