Who is required to give permission for the release of a student's test scores?

The requirement for releasing a student's test scores fundamentally revolves around the concept of student privacy and rights. In order to maintain confidentiality and respect the autonomy of students, it is the student who has the authority to decide when and how their personal performance data is shared. This aligns with regulations such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which outlines that educational institutions must protect students' educational records and that students have the right to consent to the disclosure of their test scores.

The other options involve individuals who do not have the legal authority to release this information without the student’s permission. An instructor may be involved in administering the tests and assessing performance, but they cannot grant permission for the release of scores. Similarly, the chief or the training officer may hold positions of authority within the educational structure, but without the student's approval, they cannot legally disclose test scores. Thus, it is clear that permission must come from the student themselves.