What form of consent is generally required for the release of a student's educational records?

The requirement for written consent that is dated aligns with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations regarding the disclosure of student educational records. FERPA stipulates that schools must obtain written consent from students before disclosing personally identifiable information from their education records, except in certain legally defined circumstances. This written consent must include specific elements, such as the records to be disclosed, the purpose of the disclosure, and the identity of the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure will be made. The requirement for the consent to be dated ensures that the school can verify that the permission was granted at a specific time, providing a clear record of compliance with FERPA.

Other forms of consent, such as verbal consent, do not meet the standards set by FERPA for record-keeping and accountability. Implied consent based on enrollment is not sufficient, as it does not provide explicit permission for the release of specific records. Additionally, while obtaining consent from a parent or guardian might be relevant in certain scenarios, particularly for dependent students, the law primarily emphasizes the student's written consent.