What must education officials demonstrate to access student records?

Education officials must demonstrate a legitimate educational interest to access student records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that their role requires them to access the information in order to perform their responsibilities related to the student's education. Legitimate educational interest ensures that access to sensitive student information is granted only to those who need it for educational purposes, thus protecting students' privacy rights.

This requirement balances the need for educational officials to perform their duties effectively while safeguarding the confidentiality of student records. It ensures that information is not accessed frivolously or for purposes unrelated to the student's academic experience. The concept of legitimate educational interest is a fundamental principle in maintaining the integrity and privacy of student records under FERPA.