Which act prevents academic institutions from sharing student data except with parents?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is designed to protect the privacy of student education records. This federal law gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records while also allowing students to attain some level of control over their own information once they reach a certain age. Under FERPA, academic institutions are restricted from disclosing personally identifiable information in education records without the consent of the student, except in certain situations where information may be shared with parents or guardians, such as if the student is a dependent for tax purposes.

This act plays a critical role in maintaining the confidentiality of student data, ensuring that schools handle sensitive information responsibly, and clarifying the conditions under which information can be released. By understanding FERPA, students and parents can be better informed about their rights regarding who can access this information and under what circumstances.