Final answer:
The answer to whether parents can contact college professors about a student's grades, attendance, or assessments is false due to FERPA regulations. College students are encouraged to communicate directly with their professors to address any concerns or difficulties in their courses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question revolves around whether parents or other individuals can contact college professors regarding a student's course grades, attendance, and assessments. The correct answer to this situation is generally false.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Once students reach the college level, these rights transfer to them from their parents, meaning that professors typically cannot discuss a student's grades, attendance, or assessments with anyone other than the student without explicit consent.
It is important for students to actively engage with their professors if they are experiencing difficulties or have questions about the course, as highlighted by the referenced text. Professors and teaching assistants often appreciate when students seek out additional help and show dedication to their learning, such as attending office hours for clarification or further discussion.