When must a student be notified about their education records being disclosed?

The correct answer indicates that students must be notified before their education records are disclosed unless a specific exception applies. This aligns with the provisions of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which emphasizes the importance of student privacy and the right to be informed about the handling of their educational records.

Notification prior to disclosure is essential as it allows students to be aware of who has access to their records and ensures they can raise concerns or objections if they disagree with the disclosure. The exceptions in which prior notification is not mandatory typically involve circumstances that are critical in nature, such as health and safety emergencies, situations involving compliance with the law, or when records are shared with certain authorized entities.

This principle fosters transparency and gives students the rights outlined in FERPA, which are fundamental for protecting their educational privacy.