What is required if a minor's educational records are disclosed under FERPA?

If a minor's educational records are disclosed under FERPA, written consent must be obtained from a parent or eligible student. FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, protects the privacy of student education records and grants specific rights to parents regarding their children's educational information. When it comes to minors, the law specifically requires that schools obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before disclosing the student's educational records. This requirement is in place to ensure that parents maintain control over their child's personal and academic information.

Additionally, once a student reaches a certain age or attends a postsecondary institution, they become an "eligible student," and the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student. Therefore, the requirement for consent still applies, albeit from the eligible student rather than the parent. This careful structure underscores the importance of protecting minors' educational records while recognizing the student's growing independence as they mature.