Which action violates a student's confidentiality rights under FERPA?

The action that violates a student's confidentiality rights under FERPA is leaving a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) in plain view. Under FERPA, educational records and personally identifiable information about students must be kept confidential and secure. This regulation is designed to protect the privacy of students and their families.

When a student's IEP is left in a publicly accessible area, it can be viewed by individuals who are not authorized to access that information, thereby breaching the student's confidentiality. Keeping sensitive documentation like an IEP secure and ensuring that it is only accessible to authorized personnel is crucial for maintaining compliance with FERPA.

In contrast, the other actions listed do not inherently violate student confidentiality rights. Discussing a student's remark with parents may involve confidential information, but if done appropriately and with consent, it may not violate FERPA requirements. Keeping anecdotal notes in a private file does not breach confidentiality as long as those notes are stored securely. Meeting with a general education teacher to discuss a student is part of the collaborative efforts in education and typically falls within the bounds of permitted disclosures under education law, provided that the information shared is relevant to the student's education and is kept confidential.