What event prompted public pressure to develop FERPA?

The event that prompted public pressure to develop FERPA is associated with the security breach at the Watergate Hotel. This scandal highlighted issues around privacy and the misuse of personal information, leading to a heightened awareness about the need for legal protections concerning individuals’ educational records. As a result, it became clear that students also required safeguards to protect their educational information from being misused or disclosed without consent. This societal shift and the demand for stronger privacy protections culminated in the establishment of FERPA, which sought to grant students certain rights regarding their educational records and ensure their confidentiality.

While other options relate to important issues in education, they do not have the same direct historical impact that led to the implementation of FERPA. Financial aid concerns, inaccuracies in educational records, and variability in student rights contribute to the broader conversation of privacy in education, but they did not serve as the primary catalyst for the legislative action brought about by the Watergate scandal.