Which law addresses the confidentiality of student educational records and their access?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) specifically addresses the confidentiality and privacy of student educational records. It establishes the rights of parents and students over their educational records, detailing who has access to those records and under what circumstances. FERPA ensures that students’ personally identifiable information is protected and that their educational records can only be disclosed with consent, except in certain specified conditions. This legislation empowers students and families by granting them rights to inspect and review their educational records, request amendments, and control disclosures of personally identifiable information.

The other laws listed serve different purposes. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) focuses on the education of students with disabilities, outlining the rights to special education services. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) emphasizes the need for equal access to education and aims to improve the academic achievement of disadvantaged students, without specifically addressing confidentiality of records. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) deals with labor standards and employee compensation, irrelevant to educational record confidentiality. Thus, FERPA is the clear choice regarding the protection of students' educational records.