Under what condition may a school legally disclose educational records to the parents of the student without consent?

A student has left high school and is attending a public postsecondary institution.

Under what condition may a school legally disclose educational records to the parents of the student without consent?
A . If the student has not yet turned 18 years of age
B . If the student is in danger of academic suspension
C . If the student is still a dependent for tax purposes
D . If the student has applied to transfer to another institution

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of students’ educational records. FERPA generally requires schools to obtain written consent from students before disclosing their records to third parties, such as parents. However, FERPA allows some exceptions to this rule, such as when the disclosure is for health or safety emergencies, or when the student is still a dependent for tax purposes. According to FERPA, a school may disclose educational records to the parents of a student who is claimed as a dependent on the parents’ most recent federal income tax return, without the student’s consent. This exception applies regardless of the student’s age or enrollment status at a postsecondary institution.

Reference: IAPP CIPP/US Body of Knowledge, Section III, C, 2

[IAPP CIPP/US Study Guide, Chapter 3, Section 3.5]

[FERPA, 34 CFR § 99.31(a)(8)]