Privacy and Security
Protecting Student Information
Security - It's not only a good idea; it's the LAW!
- initiated by New York Senator James Lane Buckley
- designed to protect confidentiality of students' educational records
- grants students the right to inspect, review, and challenge their educational record
- also protects students from any personally identifiable information being released with state and national test scores (transmitting of testing data to local/state/federal agencies).
Under FERPA, records of students under the age of 18 cannot be released without parental consent; at age 18 student's must release permission.
However, according to the U. S. Department of Education, FERPA does allow schools to release student information, without consent, in the following situations:
- accreditation
- student transferring to another school
- student applying for financial aid
- health and personal safety emergencies
- studies conducted on behalf of the school
- school officials with legitimate educational interest
- judicial order or subpoenas
- state and local authorities within a juvenile justice system
(U.S. Department of Education as cited by Bissonette, 2009, p. 40)
Schools Have a Role in Keeping Students Safe and Information Secure
District and School Policy must address:
- How, when, and why disclosure of students' private information should occur
- Both casual and essential disclosure of private student information between professionals
- Issues surrounding student self-disclosure
- People DO worry about becoming friends with bosses, coworkers, students, teachers, etc.
- When asked if they were friends with their teachers, many students said, "it depends on the teacher"
- There are pros and cons with teachers "friending" students
- Pro: keep in contact with students outside of school, establish and nurture better relationships, teachers are seen as human, opportunity to learn what happens on Facebook doesn't stay on Facebook, it is real life, teachers can be positive Facebook role models
- Con: harassment and other uncomfortable and negative situations can occur, power inequities exist
- There is a need for digital citizenship training for teachers and students
- School, teachers, students, and parents all need to keep the dialogue going
Consider HOW you use social media and the lessons you are teaching!
Student Self-Disclosure
Playing and Staying Safe Online (Australia)
Need for Student Education
Digital Literacy instruction
- promotes higher-order thinking skills
- supports students as constructors of knowledge
- prepares students for a digital post K-12 world
Middle School Lesson
Students' Safety - everyone's concern
4 R's - iSAFE.org
Mobicip
Commonsense media
Privacy Student Intro Video - The Digital Footprint