What does FERPA stand for, and what does it protect?

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This federal law primarily protects the privacy of student education records by giving parents and eligible students the right to access these records, request corrections to be made where appropriate, and limit the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained within them. The essence of FERPA is to safeguard the confidentiality of students' educational information and ensure that schools handle such information responsibly.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the content or purpose of FERPA. They reference different acts or concepts that do not encapsulate the law's focus on educational record privacy or rights. Understanding FERPA is crucial for school counselors, as they must navigate and uphold these rights while supporting students and families in their educational journeys.