Dive Brief:
- Ninety-four different student data privacy bills have been introduced in relation to student privacy in a total of 31 U.S. states so far this year.
- The first student data privacy laws of 2016 were passed in New Hampshire, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.
- Some, like Virginia's HB 390 law, relate to the privacy and security of teacher data.
Dive Insight:
Student privacy concerns are increasing around the nation, as the push for more tech integration grows. District administrators should remember parents are a key constituent group who need to be kept informed of new decisions and regulations. The Foundation for Excellence in Education recently created a Student Data Privacy Communications Toolkit, which included a survey on attitudes about student privacy.
Last December, a high-profile FTC complaint from the Electronic Frontier Foundation alleged student privacy violations by Google. The 16-page complaint and request for investigation, injunction, and relief accuses the tech giant of violating the K-12 school service provider pledge to safeguard student privacy.