Which act prohibits schools from sharing identifiable information about students and protects the confidentiality of education records?

• A. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
• B. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• C. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• D. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Answer: (C)

Protecting the privacy of student records is the key idea. FERPA, enacted in 1974, sets the rules for how schools handle and share information from a student’s education records. It requires written consent to release identifiable information, with specific allowed disclosures to school officials with legitimate educational interest and other narrow exceptions. It also gives parents and eligible students rights to access records, request amendments, and be informed about disclosures. While IDEA focuses on providing and supporting special education services and has its own privacy provisions, and ADA/Section 504 address anti-discrimination and accessibility, FERPA is the measure that specifically governs the confidentiality of education records and restricts sharing identifiable information without proper consent.