Can a student challenge their grades under FERPA?

Under FERPA, students have the right to request access to their educational records and seek to amend those records under specific circumstances. When it comes to grades, a student can challenge them, but the grounds for doing so are limited. The most accepted reason for challenging a grade is based on a mathematical error, which means if a student believes there was a mistake in the calculation or recording of their grade, they can pursue this challenge.

This approach aligns with the intent of FERPA, which protects students' rights regarding their educational records while recognizing that not all grade disputes fall under the statute. Students cannot simply challenge grades based on dissatisfaction with their assessment or disagreement with the instructor’s evaluation of their performance. This maintains the integrity of the grading system while providing students with a mechanism to address legitimate errors.