Which term addresses privacy of student records and is commonly abbreviated to FERPA?

• A. PDCA
• B. Code of Ethics
• C. FERPA
• D. IDEA Part A

Answer: (C)

Privacy of student records is governed by FERPA, which stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This law gives parents and eligible students the right to access and review education records, request amendments, and control disclosures, with certain allowed exceptions. It applies to educational institutions and agencies that receive federal funds, and schools must provide annual notice of their privacy practices. Directory information can be disclosed unless the student or parent opts out, and rights transfer to the student when they turn 18 or enroll in postsecondary education. This makes FERPA the correct term because it specifically addresses who can access or disclose student information. The other terms relate to different topics: PDCA is a quality-management cycle, a Code of Ethics guides professional conduct, and IDEA Part A concerns special education services rather than privacy of records.