Which law governs the privacy of student records in most U.S. schools, and what does a TA need to protect?

• A. HIPAA; protect health information only.
• B. IDEA; protect eligibility determinations.
• C. COPPA; protect children's online data.
• D. FERPA; keep student records confidential and share information only with authorized personnel.

Answer: (D)

FERPA governs the privacy of student records in most U.S. schools. It sets who may access education records and when disclosures are allowed, so information about a student’s grades, attendance, or conduct isn’t shared indiscriminately.

As a TA, you’ll handle materials that count as education records, so you must protect that information at all times. Keep records secure—store papers in locked places and use password-protected or encrypted systems for digital files. Share information only with people who have a legitimate educational need to know, such as the instructor, other staff directly involved in the student’s education, or, when appropriate, a parent or eligible student who has rights to the records. Avoid discussing identifiable student information in public areas or with classmates, and don’t post grades or personal data where others can see them.

Some disclosures are allowed without consent (like certain school officials with legitimate educational interest or in specific emergencies), but the default expectation is to keep information confidential and limit sharing to authorized personnel. HIPAA covers health information in medical contexts, while FERPA covers education records in schools.