Which student group has the choice to adopt the right to educational records at age 18?

In the context of educational records, students are granted specific rights as outlined under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). At the age of 18, individuals are considered adults and thus have the right to access their own educational records, as well as the authority to grant or deny permission for others to access those records. This transition applies particularly to students in special education programs, who may have previously had their educational records managed by their parents or guardians.

The assumption is that as young adults, these students can take on responsibility for their educational information, which is crucial for their independence and self-advocacy in academic settings. This right to educational records is not limited to just special education students; in theory, it applies to all students once they reach the age of 18. However, in the context of this question, the focus on special education highlights the transition to self-management of educational records at a legally recognized age of 18, emphasizing the unique circumstances around students with special educational needs who may experience these transitions more formally due to the nature of their educational support.

Therefore, the special attention given to special education students in the context of educational rights illustrates their unique pathways and transitions within educational systems.