What right does the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act provide families?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grants families the right to inspect and review the educational records maintained by the school on their child. This provision is essential for ensuring transparency in educational practices and allows parents and guardians to stay informed about their child’s academic performance and any relevant information that schools keep. The ability to review these records helps families actively participate in their child’s education and address any concerns they may have regarding their educational experience.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the rights afforded under FERPA. Speaking with a teacher who witnessed an incident or inspecting records that contain personal information about another student do not fall under the protections of FERPA, as it primarily focuses on the rights of parents and students to access their own specific educational records. Furthermore, the act emphasizes the privacy of the student's records, precluding the unauthorized examination of any private information.