What is the primary purpose of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act?

The primary purpose of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is to protect the disclosure of student data. This federal law grants parents and eligible students specific rights regarding their educational records, including the right to access and inspect those records, the right to request amendments to records that they believe are inaccurate, and the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the records, with certain exceptions. By ensuring that educational records are kept confidential and that students and parents have control over their own data, FERPA aims to protect students' privacy and maintain the integrity of educational institutions. This focus on data protection distinguishes it from other potential regulatory frameworks relating to education.