How long are schools required to retain student records?

Schools are required to retain student records for as long as necessary according to institutional policy and state laws. This answer is correct because the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not specify a uniform time frame for retaining records. Instead, it allows educational institutions to establish their own policies regarding the length of time that records should be kept, which must comply with applicable state laws as well.

Different types of records may also have varying retention requirements based on their significance and relevance to the institution, legal obligations, and records management policies. Thus, the appropriate retention period can range broadly, depending on these factors. By ensuring retention aligns with institutional policy and local regulations, schools can maintain compliance with FERPA while fulfilling their administrative and legal responsibilities.