Which situation would typically require a school to obtain consent before disclosing personal information?

The requirement for a school to obtain consent before disclosing personal information is particularly relevant in the case of information related to student grades. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), student grades are considered personally identifiable information that must be protected. This means that a school must obtain explicit consent from the student before sharing their grades with any outside parties, such as employers, other educational institutions, or even parents, unless a specific exception applies.

In contrast, directory information—the information that is generally not harmful if disclosed—includes items like a student’s name, address, phone number, and participation in officially recognized activities. This information can often be shared without consent, provided the public is notified and given the opportunity to opt-out of such disclosures. Information shared with faculty members is typically allowable under FERPA, as faculty may need access to grades or other academic information to perform their roles effectively. Lastly, general school statistics, which may not identify individual students or their personally identifiable information, do not require consent for disclosure.