Who is defined as a "school official" under FERPA?

The definition of a "school official" under FERPA encompasses individuals who are employed by the institution and have a legitimate educational interest. This means they are in positions that allow them access to student education records to fulfill their professional responsibilities. The concept of "legitimate educational interest" is crucial here; it implies that the official needs access to the information to perform a task related to the student's education or to comply with specific responsibilities placed upon them by the institution.

In contrast, the other options do not meet the criteria for being classified as school officials under FERPA. A parent or guardian, while they may have an interest in a student's education, does not fall within the category of a school official unless they are acting in a capacity specifically authorized by the educational institution. Similarly, individuals not employed by the institution do not qualify as school officials because they lack the necessary association and responsibilities tied to the institution. Lastly, while a student representative may be involved in school activities, they typically do not have the same access or responsibilities concerning student records as school officials do unless explicitly granted by the school.