What does FERPA specifically prohibit concerning educational records?

FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. One of the core provisions of FERPA is that it requires educational institutions to obtain consent from parents or eligible students before disclosing personally identifiable information from education records to third parties. This ensures that students and their families remain in control of who has access to their educational information.

The law acknowledges the importance of privacy in educational contexts, allowing parents to review their child’s academic records and requiring written consent before the school can share those records, except in specific situations outlined by the law. Therefore, the prohibition on releasing records without consent is critical to maintaining confidentiality and protecting students' rights.