Article from Tech Edge magazine by Dr Lisa Gonzales and Geoff Belleau.

1. 6 | TechEdge | www.tcea.org/techedge
AT A GLANCE
Know the Student Privacy Laws
With a 2012 update to the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA), protecting student privacy should
be at the forefront of our work. FERPA focuses on student
rights, including:
• The right to inspect and review their education records
• The right to request an amendment to the education
records that the student believes are inaccurate or
misleading
• The right to limit disclosure of personally identifiable
information, including “directory information”
• The right to file a complaint.
Additionally, the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment
requires districts to “notify parents of students who
are scheduled to participate in activities involving the
collection, disclosure, or use of personal information
collected from students for marketing purposes, or to
sell or otherwise provide that information to others for
marketing purposes, and to give parents the opportunity
to opt-out of these activities.” Most states have laws that
leaders should know and put into practice as well.
Privacy and Student Data:
What to Considerby Dr. Lisa Gonzales and Geoff Belleau
In the last few years, new data systems and requirements have expanded tenfold, yet the administration of systems
and devices hasn’t always caught up. From new data management systems, statewide data systems, student and staff
devices, and an explosion of new apps and websites, data management has become a challenge. Are we managing our
data in a safe and responsible manner? What student privacy protections should districts consider?

2. Issue Four, November 2016 | TechEdge | 7
AT A GLANCE
Privacy and Data Management 101
Have you identified the person or team responsible for
reviewing services and applications used by students?
Make sure to put in place a process by which management
systems and shared docs become a regular practice with
teachers, allowing them to ask for and obtain feedback
about apps they would like to use so a master list is
available with parameters of data use and sharing.
Another good practice to put in place is to train
administrators annually on laws surrounding data sharing
and privacy, including a set of district practices that each
site should follow for consistency. As with many other legal
requirements, there are many misunderstandings and
half-truths, so it is important to get training.
Be Proactive and Model Safety
It is important that educators help students claim their
data and build an online identity, much easier than
having it stolen and trying to take it back. When data
is compromised, sometimes it cannot be removed. One
strategy to clear your online reputation is to start flooding
it with positive posts.
The best first step to protecting your online identity is to
model, model, and model. Find the teachable moments
to navigate the online world of collaboration, posts, and
social media.
Next Steps
Managing the online world feels ominous, especially for
teachers whose plates are already full with instruction
and individual student needs. Ensure teachers know what
steps are in place to obtain help in the district, and begin
a practice of focusing on resources like Common Sense
Media and others that can support student safety. From
sharing tips with parents to providing mini-lessons for
students, our front line staff can effectively ensure student
privacy and safety.
When a district does go “digital,” a plan must be
developed and implemented to allow for alternate learning
opportunities for families that are not able to have their
students participate and yet keep their data private. All
of the suggestions go beyond just protecting students;
protecting the district with best practices for using and
sharing data is, these days, just common sense.
Dr. Lisa Gonzales is the President Elect of ACSA, serves on the CUE
Legislative Advisory Team, and is a member of TICAL.
Geoff Belleau has been an elementary teacher, high school tech teacher
and county ed tech coordinator. Geoff is also a member of TICAL.
The following resources are recommended for
further information:
California Guide to FERPA
www.f3law.com/privacy
Summary of Federal Laws
nces.ed.gov/pubs97/p97527/Sec2_txt.asp
Common Sense Media tools for use with students
www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/scope-and-sequence
From sharing tips with
parents to providing
mini-lessons for students,
our front line staff can
effectively ensure student
privacy and safety.