Which practice supports confidentiality for students?

• A. Discussing student information with all staff.
• B. Post records publicly.
• C. Share with family friends.
• D. Keep student information confidential and discuss only with authorized staff; store records securely and avoid sharing on public devices.

Answer: (D)

Maintaining confidentiality means only sharing student information with people who need it to support that student. The best practice is to keep information confidential and discuss it only with authorized staff, such as teachers, therapists, counselors, case managers, or administrators who are involved in planning and delivering services. Records should be stored securely—paper records in locked cabinets and digital files with strong passwords or encryption—and avoid being viewed or transmitted on public devices or shared platforms. This approach protects the student’s privacy, reduces risk of harm or stigma, and aligns with legal and district requirements for educational records.

Discussing with all staff, posting records publicly, or sharing with family friends would disclose private information to people who don’t need it, which can lead to privacy violations and potential harm to the student.