* The type of record: Student transcripts are generally kept longer than attendance records, for example. Records related to legal matters might be kept indefinitely.
* The level of education: Elementary schools may have different retention policies than universities.
* State and federal laws: Laws governing record retention vary by location. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) in the US dictates certain requirements for student records, but doesn't specify a minimum or maximum retention period.
* The school's specific policies: Individual schools may have their own internal policies that determine how long different types of records are kept.
Generally, you can expect:
* Transcripts: Often kept permanently, or at least for many decades. Universities frequently keep them indefinitely.
* Student academic records (grades, attendance): Often kept for several years after graduation, potentially decades, but policies vary.
* Financial records: Subject to various state and federal regulations regarding tax and audit purposes, typically kept for a number of years.
* Disciplinary records: Retention policies vary widely and may depend on the severity of the infraction.
To find out how long a *specific* school keeps a *specific type* of record, you should contact the school's registrar or records office directly.