Are transcripts considered part of education records?

Transcripts are indeed considered part of education records according to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Education records encompass a range of information maintained by an educational institution that pertains to individual students. This includes grades, attendance records, and transcripts, as they reflect the student's academic performance and progress.

The inclusion of transcripts in education records is vital as it helps protect the privacy of students by regulating access to these documents. Under FERPA, students have the right to access their transcripts and request amendments to their records if they believe there are inaccuracies. This ensures that students can review and verify the information that institutions maintain about them.

In contrast, the other options suggest limitations or exclusions regarding transcripts; however, transcripts consistently fall under the umbrella of educational records regardless of circumstances such as student requests or student status. Thus, the assertion that transcripts are part of education records is both accurate and fundamental in understanding student privacy rights under FERPA.