What is required for a school to disclose information from student records?

The requirement for a school to disclose information from student records is based on the concept of "legitimate educational interest," which ensures that only individuals with a specific, educationally-related reason can access a student's records. This is a fundamental principle of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which aims to protect the privacy of student education records while also allowing for necessary disclosures that support educational purposes.

A disclosure based on "legitimate educational interest" demonstrates that the requester has a valid need to know certain information in order to fulfill their responsibilities related to the student's education. This could apply to teachers, school officials, or other staff members who need access to specific student information as it pertains to educational decisions, assessments, or support.

The other choices do not align with FERPA's guidelines. A request from an individual (like a parent or student) must specify the educational context for the request, and a general inquiry from community members lacks the necessary educational basis. Tax forms showing dependence do not establish any educational interest and therefore do not warrant disclosure under FERPA.