Under FERPA, a school would need to obtain Francisco's grandmother's permission to release his educational records in all but which situation?

• A. Francisco is transferring to another school and the new school needs his records
• B. Francisco's mother calls the school to ask how Francisco is doing
• C. The school newspaper is listing honors students, and wants to find out if Francisco qualifies
• D. Permission would need to be obtained in all of these situations

Answer: (A)

Under FERPA, a student’s records can be shared with another school to which the student is transferring without written consent, because the receiving school has a legitimate educational interest in those records to continue the student’s education. That’s why the transfer scenario is the one where grandmother’s permission isn’t needed—the new school can receive Francisco’s records directly.

In the other situations, releasing information to someone who isn’t the parent or guardian (like a grandmother) would typically require consent, unless the information falls under a FERPA exception (for example, directory information disclosed only if the family hasn’t opted out). A parent (the mother) has the right to access the records, so permission isn’t needed to share with her. A newspaper listing honors would still raise considerations about what can be disclosed and under what opt-out status FERPA permits.