Which of the following is a key requirement of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) regarding the storage of special education records?

The key requirement regarding the storage of special education records in the Texas Administrative Code emphasizes that eligibility folders must be stored confidentially. This is essential to protect the privacy of students with disabilities and ensure that sensitive information related to their educational needs and personal circumstances is safeguarded.

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in special education, as it helps to maintain trust between families and educational institutions. Special education records often contain personal details about a student’s health, assessment results, and individualized education plans (IEPs), which should only be accessible to authorized personnel involved in the student’s education.

This requirement aligns with broader privacy laws and regulations, which prioritize the protection of personal information. In contrast, the other options do not reflect the requirements set forth in Texas law or best practices in handling special education records. For example, public availability of records would violate confidentiality, and there are specific guidelines on how long records must be retained, which typically far exceeds just one year. Lastly, while electronic storage is a common practice, it is not the only method allowed, as long as proper confidentiality measures are adhered to regardless of the storage medium.