8.2: Information Privacy and its Impact on Schools
- Page ID
- 32026
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Define information privacy in educational contexts.
- Identify strategies for ensuring information privacy in educational settings.
Information privacy in education refers to the right and the practice of managing access to, and the use of, personal data held within school systems. This encompasses student information, such as grades, medical records, and personal details, as well as staff records. With the rise of digital record-keeping and online learning tools, ensuring the confidentiality of this data is paramount.
In a school setting, information privacy is not just about ethical respect for individual rights; it's also about legal compliance. Regulations such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in the United States mandate strict controls over who can see and use student educational records. A breach in information privacy can have profound consequences, ranging from identity theft to legal ramifications for the institution itself.
Ensuring Information Privacy in Schools
Watch this video from the US Department of Education to learn more about safeguarding student data when using technology:
Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services. [Video: 9:30. Closed Captioned.]
Strategies for Protecting Digital Information (US Department of Education, 2021)
- Understanding Legal Requirements: Instructors must be familiar with laws governing student data privacy and ensure they are followed meticulously in their classrooms. For instance, FERPA requires that schools obtain parental consent before disclosing a student's education records.
- Data Minimization: Collect only the information essential for educational purposes. For example, if a student's social security number isn't necessary for a particular academic activity, it shouldn't be collected. This limits exposure in the event of a data breach.
- Access Control: Limit access to sensitive information to authorized personnel only. Schools can implement role-based access systems, where, say, a gym teacher would not have access to students' medical records unless necessary for health and safety reasons.
- Secure Communication Channels: Use encrypted communication when sharing sensitive data. If an instructor needs to discuss a student's performance with a parent, using a secure portal rather than email can prevent data interception.
- Training and Awareness: Conduct regular training sessions on data privacy for all staff members. A teacher, for instance, should know not to leave a laptop with access to student records unattended, and they should be aware of phishing scams that could compromise data.
Strategies for Protecting Physical Information
- Secure Storage: Keep physical records, like printed tests or health forms, in locked cabinets or secure areas with limited access.
- Document Disposal: Establish protocols for the proper disposal of sensitive documents, such as shredding before recycling.
US Department of Education. (2021). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
US Department of Education. (2015, February 26). Protecting student privacy while using online educational services. YouTube.