# Student Records > Student Records means information that directly relates to a student, maintained by [Educational Authority], including data from assigned instructional **Term:** Student Records **Last updated:** 2026-07-29 ## Definition ## What Student Records Means in a Contract Student Records is a defined term used in agreements between educational institutions and the vendors, contractors, or technology providers they engage. It refers to information that directly identifies or relates to a specific student and that is created, collected, or maintained by an educational authority, such as a school district, university, or state education agency. The term typically extends beyond traditional paper files to cover digital data generated through assigned instructional software, learning management systems, or online testing platforms. The purpose of defining Student Records in a contract is to draw a clear line around the category of information that receives heightened protection. Once data falls within this definition, the agreement usually imposes specific obligations on how a vendor may access, use, store, or disclose it. Without a precise definition, parties risk disputes over whether a particular data set, such as login metadata or behavioral analytics from a learning app, is subject to the contract's data protection commitments. Because student data often involves minors, contracts frequently link the Student Records definition to broader compliance frameworks, cross-referencing obligations found in a