Final answer:
Educators are ethically obliged not to disclose student information unless there are compelling reasons or it is legally mandated, reflecting standards similar to those found in research and legal guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the educator shall not disclose information about students obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law. There are nine exemptions to confidentiality that include issues of national security, internal personnel rules, and law enforcement information, among others. These are aligned with the principles outlined in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which mandates certain types of information to be made available to the public regularly, thus also addressing exceptions to this rule.
Even under pressure from authorities, like police or courts, researchers, akin to educators, are required to protect the privacy of individuals involved in their studies. The balance between maintaining confidentiality and adhering to legal requirements is a critical ethical aspect of the profession. The guiding principle is that any disclosure should only take place when absolutely necessary and mandated by compelling reasons or legal obligations.