FERPA's role in records of student-athletes in Iowa?

• A. FERPA prohibits sharing records with anyone
• B. FERPA protects privacy; AD safeguards data and shares only with authorized individuals
• C. Records must be public
• D. Records can be shared with any coach

Answer: (B)

FERPA protects the privacy of student education records, including those kept by the athletics department for student-athletes. In practice, the athletic director must safeguard those records and share them only with people who have a legitimate educational interest—such as coaches within the same school, trainers, and other authorized staff who need the information to support the student. Outside disclosures usually require the student’s consent or must fit a FERPA exception, and directory information may be released unless the student opts out. Records aren’t public and can’t be shared with any coach indiscriminately. This framework captures how FERPA governs access to student-athlete information and keeps sensitive data protected while allowing appropriate, authorized use.