What is an example of directory information that may be disclosed without consent?

Directory information refers to specific, non-sensitive information about students that educational institutions may disclose without prior consent, as outlined by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). This type of information is generally considered not to be harmful or invasive to the student's privacy and includes items such as a student's name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, major, and, notably, photographs.

In this context, photographs are an example of directory information that can be disclosed without obtaining explicit consent from the student. Institutions often use photographs for various purposes, such as yearbooks, student IDs, or marketing materials, and FERPA allows for such disclosures as they typically do not compromise student privacy in a significant manner.

In contrast, other options like social security numbers, grading history, and disciplinary records contain sensitive personal information and fall under stricter protections, requiring consent for their disclosure. The inclusion of photographs as directory information underscores the distinction between general information that can be shared and more private data that requires the student's permission.