Under FERPA, which of the following categories is protected?

Under FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, directory information is a category that is subject to protective regulations. This means that schools must inform students and parents about the types of information they consider directory information and allow them the opportunity to opt-out of having that information disclosed publicly.

Directory information can include details such as a student's name, address, phone number, date of birth, grade level, and participation in officially recognized activities and sports. However, even though this information can be released without consent, it's important to note that students have the right to request that certain information be kept confidential.

In contrast, financial performance reports, public speech transcripts, and extracurricular activities data do not fall under the same protective provisions of FERPA as directory information, making it essential to understand the specific categories of information protected by this federal law.