Which entity is primarily responsible for maintaining AAR records?

• A. Private vendors
• B. The state education agency
• C. Students' families
• D. School districts

Answer: (D)

Local school districts are the ones who keep and manage student records day to day. They run the schools, collect attendance and grades, maintain transcripts, health and enrollment information, and ensure records are stored securely according to retention rules. The state education agency sets requirements and collects data from districts for statewide reporting, but districts are responsible for the actual maintenance of the records. Families can provide data and request access, but they don’t maintain the official files. Private vendors may supply the systems used to store records, yet the authority and duty to maintain them rests with the district.