Which type of information can schools disclose to researchers without parental or student consent?

Schools are allowed to disclose directory information to researchers without needing parental or student consent. Directory information typically includes details such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and participation in officially recognized activities and sports. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits educational institutions to release this type of information under certain conditions, as it is not considered harmful or invasive to student privacy in the same way that grades, personal health information, or attendance records might be.

Grades and academic performance, for instance, are protected under FERPA and require explicit consent from parents or eligible students before being disclosed, as they contain sensitive personal information. Similarly, personal health information is subject to stricter privacy regulations and cannot be shared without consent due to its sensitive nature. Attendance records, while they might seem less private, also generally require consent for disclosure as they pertain to a student's presence in educational environments. Therefore, among the options presented, directory information is the type that can be shared freely without consent.