Under FERPA, which category allows schools to disclose information in certain circumstances?

Under FERPA, which category allows schools to disclose information in certain circumstances?

• A. Medical histories
• B. Personal health information
• C. Directory information
• D. Social security numbers

Answer: (C)

Under FERPA, you can disclose certain student data without written consent when it’s categorized as directory information. This category covers items schools typically share to help the student’s information be visible to insiders and, sometimes, external parties, such as a student’s name, address, email, phone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, dates of attendance, degrees conferred, current major or class level, and similar identifiers. The key is that this information is designated by the school as directory information and the student has been given notice of what counts as such and the option to opt out if they don’t want it shared. Medical or health histories and personal health information aren’t treated as directory information; they’re protected and generally require consent before disclosure. Social security numbers are highly sensitive identifiers and are not treated as directory information either, so they’re not disclosed without proper safeguards or legal justification.

Under FERPA, you can disclose certain student data without written consent when it’s categorized as directory information. This category covers items schools typically share to help the student’s information be visible to insiders and, sometimes, external parties, such as a student’s name, address, email, phone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, dates of attendance, degrees conferred, current major or class level, and similar identifiers. The key is that this information is designated by the school as directory information and the student has been given notice of what counts as such and the option to opt out if they don’t want it shared.

Medical or health histories and personal health information aren’t treated as directory information; they’re protected and generally require consent before disclosure. Social security numbers are highly sensitive identifiers and are not treated as directory information either, so they’re not disclosed without proper safeguards or legal justification.