What rights do parents have under FERPA?

Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), parents have the right to access their child's education records until the child turns 18 years old or enrolls in a post-secondary institution, such as a college or university. This provision is designed to allow parents to remain informed about their child's educational progress and to make decisions that support their child's learning and development during the critical years of schooling.

Once a student reaches the age of 18 or attends an institution of higher education, FERPA rights transfer from the parents to the student. This means that while parents have access to the records during the earlier years, they no longer have that automatic access once the student is considered an adult in the eyes of the law.

This structure reflects the intent of FERPA to protect student privacy while also recognizing the role of parents in their child's education during formative years. Because of this, the choice highlighting parents' access to their child's education records until they turn 18 or enroll in a post-secondary institution accurately summarizes the rights outlined by FERPA.