Who has access to a student’s education records without the student’s consent?

Access to a student's education records without the student's consent is typically granted to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in accessing those records. This means that individuals who are employed by the school or district, such as teachers, administrators, and staff, may access the records as part of their job responsibilities to support the educational processes of students.

Legitimate educational interest refers to the need for school officials to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities. This provision helps ensure that necessary information is shared among those who are directly involved in a student’s education, while still protecting the privacy rights of the student under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). This access is crucial for facilitating academic advising, intervention services, and other educational support functions.

In contrast, other groups mentioned, such as parents, community members, or anyone who merely requests the records, do not have automatic rights under FERPA to access a student's education records without consent, unless specific conditions are met or if the student is a minor.