Which federal law governs how researchers obtain data about subjects' disciplinary status from academic records?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is the federal law that specifically governs how educational institutions can manage and protect the privacy of student education records, including disciplinary status. It grants students certain rights regarding their education records, such as the right to access and request corrections to their records, as well as control over the disclosure of their personally identifiable information (PII).

When researchers seek to obtain data regarding a subject's disciplinary status from academic records, they must adhere to the regulations set forth by FERPA. This law ensures that individuals' educational privacy is respected and that any disclosures are appropriately authorized. FERPA emphasizes that institutions must have consent from students to release their records unless specific exemptions apply.

In contrast, the other options mentioned serve different purposes within the realm of education and student rights. For instance, the Privacy Act primarily pertains to the management of personal information by federal agencies, not specifically about educational records. The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment focuses on protecting students’ rights concerning surveys and evaluations in schools, while the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act centers on ensuring educational rights for students with disabilities. Thus, for obtaining data about a student's disciplinary status specifically from academic records, FERPA is the relevant law to follow.