Data Sharing | Protecting Student Privacy

Letters

SPPO response to Michigan on Disclosure of Immunization Status of Students

Letter to a Michigan state legislator on the applicability of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to state reporting requirements concerning students’ immunization records.

Guidance

School Resource Officers, School Law Enforcement Units, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

This guidance document consists of thirty-seven commonly asked questions about schools’ and school districts’ responsibilities under FERPA relating to disclosures of student information to school resource officers (SROs), law enforcement units and others, and seeks to explain and clarify how FERPA protects student privacy while ensuring the health and safety of students and others in the school community. SRO LEU LEO

Guidance

Integrated Data Systems and Student Privacy

This webinar accompanies the guidance document on Integrated Data Systems. This presentation provides background information on what an Integrated Data System (IDS) is and why educational authorities may choose to participate in one, and clarifies how such authorities can participate in an IDS while ensuring student privacy in compliance with FERPA.

Guidance

Use of Financial Aid Information for Program Evaluation and Research

This webinar provides additional information on the use of Financial Aid Information for program evaluation and how that data sharing operates under FERPA.

Guidance

Guidance on the Use of Financial Aid Information for Program Evaluation and Research

Student financial aid information may be used for program evaluation and research purposes.

Guidance

Integrated Data Systems and Student Privacy

This guidance document provides background information on what an Integrated Data System (IDS) is and why educational authorities may choose to participate in one, and clarifies how such authorities can participate in an IDS while ensuring student privacy in compliance with FERPA.

Guidance

Understanding the Confidentiality Requirements Applicable to IDEA Early Childhood Programs FAQ

The purpose of this document is to assist early childhood programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—Part B section 611 (Grants to States), Part B section 619 (Preschool Grants), and Part C (Grants for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities)—with addressing privacy and confidentiality questions.

Guidance

Response to Technical Assistance Request from Suffolk University

The U.S Department of Education has issued this guidance letter in response to a technical assistance request from Suffolk University. In their request, representatives from the University sought guidance on the use of the Department’s National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) for research and evaluation purposes, to study student loan servicing and borrower default and delinquency of Suffolk’s students and graduates.

Guidance

Guidance Videos

How to Use your District's Website to Communicate with Parents about Data Use and Security

Parents need to feel confident that the education information collected and stored by your district is securely maintained and only used for educational purposes. This video highlights common parent questions, and provides best practices that districts can implement to communicate with parents about data privacy.

Guidance

Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services: Model Terms of Service

The Privacy Technical Assistance Center, working with the Department of Education’s Family Policy Compliance office, has developed a checklist document that provides a framework for evaluating online educational tools' Terms of Service Agreements. This document is intended to assist users in understanding how a given online service or app will collect, use and/or transmit user information so that they can then decide whether or not to sign up.

The document is divided into several sections:

Search form

Search form