What rights does FERPA grant to parents regarding their children's education records?

FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, grants specific rights to parents regarding their children's education records, and one of the most significant of these rights is the ability to seek amendments to those records. This means that if parents believe that information contained in their child's education record is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student's privacy rights, they have the right to request that the school correct the records.

This process involves notifying the educational institution of the desired changes and giving the institution an opportunity to review the request. If the institution decides not to amend the records as requested, FERPA provides parents the right to a formal hearing to challenge the information. This empowerment helps ensure the integrity and accuracy of student records, fostering a system of accountability within educational institutions regarding the information they maintain.

The other options focus on rights that are not covered by FERPA. Parents do not have the right to make changes to curriculum or school policy, nor can they modify teacher assignments. FERPA specifically addresses the access and amendment of educational records, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and privacy in handling student information.