Federal resources
Student data and privacy
The U.S. Department of Education has resources for districts about federal laws and best practices that affect students’ data and privacy. The below resources were created by the department’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) and its Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).
- LEA Website Student Privacy Transparency Reviews - Combined Three-Year Report Summary
The Student Privacy Policy Office is finalizing a four-year review of 1,504 local education agencies’ (LEAs) websites to identify whether, and if so, how they include information about student privacy. In each year of the study, SPPO reviews a nationally representative sample of 376 LEA websites, focusing on whether the LEAs included key student privacy documents and information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) on the LEA website, as opposed to on individual school, board of education, or other websites. This report includes the first three years of research findings.
- FERPA Annual Notification Letter Issued
SPPO provides annual notification to state educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) regarding the educational agencies’ obligations under the FERPA and PPRA. The annual notification, which is required by 20 U.S.C. § 1232h(c)(5)(C), has not substantively changed since it was last issued. The notification may be accessed via SPPO’s website.
- PPRA Video: What is the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment?
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, or PPRA, is a federal law that provides certain rights for parents of students regarding, among other things, student participation in surveys; the inspection of instructional material; certain physical exams; and the collection, disclosure, and use of personal information for marketing purposes. This video provides information about these rights, the responsibilities of local education agencies (LEAs) under the law, and what to do if a parent thinks those rights have been violated.
As you review this video, you may find you need additional information on the topic. Here are some PPRA-related resources:
- Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) General Guidance, released November 2020, reviews parents’ rights under the PPRA and education officials’ obligations in implementing the PPRA. The PPRA applies to the programs and activities of a state educational agency (SEA), local educational agency (LEA), or other recipient of funds under any program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. (20 U.S.C. § 1232h, 34 CFR Part 98).
- Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) Complaint Form: The United States Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) reviews, investigates, and processes complaints of alleged violations of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). 20 U.S.C. 1232h and 34 CFR Part 98. If parents believe their or their child’s rights under PPRA have been violated, they may submit a complaint using the hyperlinked form.
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