Can students grant access to their educational records to others?

Students can indeed grant access to their educational records to others, and this can be done through written consent. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), educational institutions must obtain a student's written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information from their educational records to third parties. This ensures that students retain control over who accesses their records and under what circumstances.

The requirement for written consent is a safeguard intended to protect the privacy of students and to allow them the agency to decide who may access their information. It's important for students to understand that providing access is their right, and they can specify what records can be shared, with whom, and for how long. This process empowers students and emphasizes the protective measures in place for their educational data.