Which federal law regarding student privacy must SROs comply with?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is the federal law that School Resource Officers (SROs) must comply with regarding student privacy. FERPA is designed to protect the privacy of students' educational records and gives parents and eligible students certain rights with respect to those records. Under FERPA, educational institutions are required to maintain the confidentiality of student records, and they can only share information with others, including law enforcement, under specific and limited circumstances.

For SROs, understanding FERPA is crucial because their role often involves interacting with students, parents, and school staff in various capacities, including potentially accessing student records during investigations or crisis situations. Compliance with FERPA ensures that SROs respect students' rights and the confidentiality of their educational information, thereby upholding the integrity of student privacy.

While the other laws listed have important implications for education and child welfare, they do not specifically focus on student privacy in the same manner as FERPA. For instance, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) relates to the education of students with disabilities, CAPTA addresses child abuse, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides funding and guidelines for primary and secondary education, but none of these laws primarily govern