Who may access confidential IEP documentation?

• A. Any school employee.
• B. The general public.
• C. Authorized personnel with a legitimate educational interest.
• D. Only the student.

Answer: (C)

Confidential IEP documents are private and only those who need the information to support the student’s education may see them. The best answer points to people who have a legitimate educational interest—staff who are directly involved in planning and providing services for the student, such as teachers, therapists, and building administrators. This keeps the information focused on helping the student succeed while protecting privacy. The general public does not have access, and not every school employee automatically does—only those with a direct role in supporting the student. The student and their parents/guardians typically have rights to access the records, and information may be shared with consent or as allowed by law, but access is not open to everyone.