By Audience: Early Childhood Educators

The resources on this page are intended for staff and educators of Early Childhood programs or institutions. Resources found here address the unique challenge of applying FERPA to the early childhood setting.

Guidance

Videos

The A-B-C's of Student Directory Information

FERPA allows schools and districts to designate certain basic student information as directory information, and share that information without consent if certain additional requirements are met. This video describes why a school would want to use designated student directory information and the types of information that fall into this category. It also explains the process that schools and districts must adhere to when designating directory information.

Best Practices

Early Childhood Regional Meeting Resource List

This document provides a comprehensive list of links to NCES, ED, and other state practitioner’s related resources directly and indirectly related to Early Childhood data system practitioners. It includes applicable guidance documents in the areas of data use, research, privacy and security

Guidance

Written Agreement Checklist

This document lists mandatory requirements for written agreements under the studies exception and the audit or evaluation exception, as specified in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Guidance

Data Security Threats: Education Systems in the Crosshairs

This presentation reviews security threats to education data systems, including common ways in which these systems can be exploited. It also offers suggestions on assessing system vulnerabilities and mitigating the risks.

Guidance

Cloud Computing FAQ

This document is designed to assist educational agencies and institutions that are considering using cloud computing solutions for education data. It contains responses to frequently asked questions about meeting necessary data privacy and data security requirements, including compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, to ensure proper protection of education records.

Guidance

Identity Authentication Best Practices

This brief offers best practice recommendations for developing and implementing effective authentication processes to help ensure that only appropriate individuals and entities have access to education records. General suggestions provided in the brief are applicable to all modes of data access, be it in person, over the phone, by mail, or electronically.

Guidance

Checklist: Data Governance

This checklist is designed to assist stakeholder organizations with establishing and maintaining a successful data governance program by summarizing the key data privacy and security components of such a program and listing specific best practice action items.

Guidance

Case Study #2: Head Start Program

This case study illustrates a scenario where a State educational agency enters into an agreement to share education data with a Head Start Program.

Guidance

Transparency Best Practices for Schools and Districts - September 2014

This webinar presents a number of best practices for schools and districts to use for communicating with parents about student data.

Best Practices

FERPA Exceptions Summary - Large

The various exceptions to FERPA can be confusing and difficult to track. The FERPA Exceptions Summary is intended to be a handy visual aid to help identify, at a glance, what FERPA exception applies to the data sharing work you are trying to do. Please find the standard version of this resource here: FERPA Exceptions Summary - Standard

Mobile complaint link