Under FERPA, who has the right to request access to a student's educational records?

Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), the right to request access to a student's educational records is granted primarily to the student themselves and, in certain circumstances, to their parents. This provision is rooted in the intent of FERPA to ensure that students have control over their personal information and educational history.

Students have the right to review their records to understand the information contained within them, rectify inaccuracies, and ensure their educational rights are upheld. In the case of students who are still minors, parents typically hold the rights to access these records until the student reaches the age of 18 or attends a postsecondary institution. This dual access ensures that both students and their guardians are informed about educational records that may impact the student’s education and future opportunities.

The other options either limit access unduly or broaden it beyond the rights established by FERPA, which aims to protect student privacy while maintaining certain rights for both students and their families.