Is there a time limit for how long a school must keep student records?

The correct response indicates that there is a time limit regarding the retention of student records. Under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), schools must adhere to specific guidelines regarding the retention and destruction of student records. While it is true that certain records need to be maintained for various lengths of time dictated by educational policies and possibly by federal or state statutes, the assertion that records must be kept until age 28 aligns with some policies but does not reflect a universal FERPA requirement.

In reality, FERPA does not specifically state that student records must be kept until a student reaches a particular age such as 28 years. Different types of records can have different retention periods, often set forth by state educational authorities or particular institutional policies. These periods can vary widely and take into account the nature of the educational data and the state in which the institution operates.

Ultimately, while there is a necessity for records to be maintained for some period, the specifics can vary widely. Understanding that it depends on state laws and institutional policies is crucial for navigating the complexities of student record retention and compliance with FERPA.