Where can a student file a complaint if they believe their FERPA rights have been violated?

The appropriate agency for a student to file a complaint regarding a violation of their Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) rights is the Department of Education. This federal agency is tasked with overseeing the enforcement of education-related legislation, including FERPA, which protects the privacy of student education records. Individuals can submit their complaints regarding breaches of their rights under FERPA directly to the Department of Education's Family Policy Compliance Office.

Filing a complaint with the Department of Justice may not directly address FERPA violations, as that agency primarily deals with legal matters concerning discrimination and civil rights rather than educational privacy issues. While bringing the issue to the attention of a school principal or a state board of education could lead to local resolutions, these avenues do not hold the same federal authority or specific focus on FERPA complaints as the Department of Education does.