Under FERPA, which scenario does not require student consent for record access?

Under FERPA, records can be accessed without student consent for audit and evaluation purposes primarily because this falls under a recognized exception to the general rule that requires permission. The law allows for designated officials, such as those conducting audits or evaluations for purposes of compliance with educational programs or accountability, to access student records as long as they are conducting their duties within a legitimate educational interest. This ensures that educational institutions can maintain oversight and improve their services based on evaluations without infringing on students' privacy rights.

The other scenarios presented do not qualify for the same level of access without consent. General inquiries usually imply that an individual has no legitimate educational interest that justifies access. For any school employee, access is typically limited to those with a specific, established need related to their job functions. Additionally, the age of the records does not impact whether consent is required; FERPA protections apply to student records regardless of how much time has passed since they were created. Thus, the specific context of audit and evaluation provides a critical distinction that allows for access without needing student consent.