Under FERPA, when can schools disclose personally identifiable information without consent?

Under FERPA, schools are permitted to disclose personally identifiable information without the consent of the student or their parents when required by a court order. This exemption recognizes the legal necessity to comply with judicial mandates, which may include subpoenas or other legal processes that demand information for investigations, prosecutions, or other legal proceedings.

It is crucial to understand this context because FERPA is designed to protect the privacy of student educational records while also allowing for necessary exceptions based on legal requirements. This ensures that educational institutions can cooperate with law enforcement or legal inquiries without violating FERPA regulations.

The other options do not meet the criteria specified in FERPA for disclosing information without consent. For example, disclosing information during a natural disaster might facilitate communication for safety. However, this is not a recognized exception under FERPA. Similarly, sharing information for any educational purpose or upon a parent's request falls outside the scope of allowed disclosures without consent, as it generally requires prior approval from parents or eligible students.