Data Sharing | Protecting Student Privacy

Best Practices

Case Study # 4: PTAC Technical Assistance

This case study illustrates a scenario where a local educational agency (LEA) requests technical assistance from the Privacy Technical Assistance Center so that the LEA can come into compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; the illustration also clarifies the definition of an “education program.”

Guidance

Best Practice Recommendations for SEA Websites

This document provides best practice recommendations for State educational agencies (SEAs) on presenting information about education data governance and sharing on a SEA website.

Guidance

Model Terms of Service Guidance Webinar - April 2015

This webinar accompanies the published guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on the student privacy landscape, click-wrap agreements, and proper evaluation of provisions in terms of service agreements.

Guidance

Videos

Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services

This Privacy Technical Assistance Center teacher training video is aimed at helping K-12 school officials to better protect student privacy while using online educational services and applications. The video, intended for use during teacher in-service days or professional development meetings, offers a short summary of the issue and provides some examples to help educators identify which online educational services and applications are privacy-friendly and protect student data from improper use and disclosure.

Guidance

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Guidance on Sharing Information with Community-Based Organizations

February 2022, this document was edited to update hyperlinks and the name of the U.S. Department of Education office administering FERPA.

This document provides guidance to schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) regarding disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from education records to community based organizations.

Best Practices

FERPA Exceptions Summary - Large Format 11 X 17

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.

Best Practices

FERPA Exceptions Summary (Apr 2014) - 2-page Standard Size

The various exceptions to FERPA can be confusing and difficult to keep track of. 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.

Guidance

Recorded Webinars

Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services - March 2014

This webinar provides an overview of the guidance document entitled "Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services.

Guidance

Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services: Requirements and Best Practices

This document addresses privacy and security considerations relating to computer software, mobile applications (apps), and web-based tools provided by a third-party to a school or district that students and/or their parents access via the Internet and use as part of a school activity. Examples include online services that students use to access class readings, to view their learning progression, to watch video demonstrations, to comment on class activities, or to complete their homework.

Guidance

Recorded Webinars

How Schools Can Share Information about Foster Children with Child Welfare Agencies - June 2013

This webinar provides guidance on the Uninterrupted Scholars Act and how data can be shared under FERPA with Child Welfare Agencies.

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