Student grades are not an example of directory information that can be disclosed without consent under FERPA.

This federal law allows schools to release basic "directory information" publicly after notifying students or parents, who can opt out. Typical examples include contact details and enrollment facts, but academic performance data requires permission.

What Qualifies as Directory Information

Schools define this category narrowly to balance transparency and privacy. Common items released without consent include:

  • Student's name
  • Address and telephone number
  • Email address
  • Dates of attendance
  • Grade level or major
  • Degrees, honors, or awards received
  • Participation in activities or sports

These help with yearbooks, programs, or public rosters, but only if opt-out rights are clearly communicated annually.

What Does Not Qualify

Grades (on courses, assignments, or tests) always need consent. They're protected as education records since they reveal performance. Other non- directory examples:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Race, ethnicity, or demographics
  • Special education status
  • Disciplinary records

Posting grades publicly—even with partial IDs—violates FERPA, as seen in cases like professors using bulletin boards.

Directory (Releasable w/o Consent)| Non-Directory (Requires Consent)
---|---
Name, address, phone 13| Student grades 14
Dates of attendance 4| Special education status 4
Honors/awards 3| Race/ethnicity 4

Real-World Context

In a multiple-choice setup like "student grades, student address, student telephone number, dates of student attendance," student grades stands out as the answer. This matches quiz formats and FERPA guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Opt-out failures, like publishing opted-out honor rolls, trigger violations.

TL;DR: Student grades cannot be disclosed without consent; everything else listed typically can.

Information from public FERPA resources and educational sites.