What was a primary concern leading to FERPA's enactment?

The primary concern leading to the enactment of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) was the denial of parents' access to their children's education records. Before FERPA was implemented in 1974, many schools did not allow parents to view their child's educational records, which raised significant concerns about transparency and parental involvement in their children's education. The law was established to ensure that parents have the right to access and review these records, aimed at protecting the privacy of students while also allowing families to be informed and engaged.

The other options, while they may represent real issues in the education system, do not directly relate to the primary reason for FERPA's creation. The concerns about educational standards and funding, as well as practices related to grading, do play a role in the broader context of educational policy but do not address the specific necessity for guaranteeing parental access to educational information, which was at the forefront of FERPA's objectives.