What type of student information may be disclosed without consent according to FERPA?

Directory information may be disclosed without consent according to FERPA because it is considered to be less sensitive than other types of student records. This category includes information such as a student's name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, place of birth, and other similar details that can be used to identify a student. The rationale behind this provision is that directory information typically does not pose a risk to a student's privacy and can be useful for various legitimate purposes, such as communication with fellow students or alumni.

Educational institutions are required to notify students about what constitutes directory information and must provide them with the opportunity to opt out of having this information disclosed. In contrast, grades, transcripts, disciplinary records, and medical records are deemed more sensitive and are protected under FERPA's strict regulations, requiring explicit consent from the student before they can be released.