What does FERPA stand for, and what is its purpose?

The correct answer is based on the full name and purpose of the law. FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Its primary purpose is to protect the privacy of student education records. This federal law grants parents and eligible students—those who are 18 years old or older—the right to access their education records, seek to have them amended, and control the disclosure of personally identifiable information from those records.

This legislation is crucial because it sets guidelines that educational institutions must follow regarding the handling of students' personal information, ensuring that such information is not disclosed without consent. Maintaining privacy is particularly important in fostering trust between schools and families, as well as in safeguarding sensitive information that could impact a student's personal and academic life.