A document that permits an educational institution to disclose a student’s protected education records to a specified third party is a written authorization. This authorization, when properly executed, allows parents, guardians, or other individuals access to information that would otherwise be shielded by federal law. For example, a student might execute such a form to allow a university to share their academic transcripts with a potential employer or to permit a parent to discuss tuition payments with the bursar’s office.
The primary significance of this authorization lies in its ability to facilitate communication and support for students navigating educational systems. It empowers students to involve trusted individuals in their academic journey while simultaneously upholding their privacy rights. Historically, these authorizations arose from the need to balance student privacy with the practical realities of parental involvement and third-party support, evolving alongside federal privacy regulations to ensure compliance and student autonomy.
