COVID-19 Student Privacy Resources

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that we educate kids by shifting their majority “brick and mortar” setting to an online delivery model.

While the way we educate our youngest citizens has changed dramatically, the rules, regulations, legal accountability, and expectations schools have around protecting student data privacy have not.

The Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) is a global collaborative of schools, state and federal agencies, and marketplace providers, all working towards setting clear expectations between end users and vendors regarding “on the ground” student data privacy. Over 8,000 school districts and vendors, representing 4,000 school applications, have collaborated to sign more than 5,000 privacy agreements clarifying each other’s role in the protection of our youngest citizens’ data.

The SDPC Community has resources that can provide some quick help – here are two great ones:

• Privacy 101 and Your Responsibility: So, who is responsible for the what, why, and where about student data privacy? Let this walk through from the SDPC show you the how!
• SDPC Resource Registry: Interested in seeing where over 4,000 apps are being used? Interested in seeing the signed agreements between vendors and schools? The SDPC Resource Registry is a free resource to help schools manage their digital tools and set common privacy expectations with vendors.

The SDPC is also made up of numerous partner organizations that are trying to help address student privacy concerns related to the exponential growth of applications being used by learners. Here are some resources from our partner organizations:

Legal Resource Links:

• Student Privacy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and the School Superintendents Association (AASA) have released a white paper offering guidance to help K-12 administrators and educators protect student privacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• FERPA and Corona Virus Disease 2019: The US Department of Education has provided guidance to assist school officials in protecting student privacy in the context of COVID-19 as they consider the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from student education records to individuals and entities who may not already have access to that information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• FERPA and Virtual Learning Related Resources: The US Department of Education has provided guidance on virtual learning and federal student data privacy law.

Marketplace Providers Resources Links:

• Learning Keeps Going: The COVID-19 Education Coalition is a diverse group of education organizations brought together by the ISTE/EdSurge team to curate, create, and deliver high-quality tools, resources, and support for educators and parents as they keep the learning going during extended school closures.
• Tech for Learning: EdTech companies, non-profit organizations, and others have come together to ensure all stakeholders have access to the tools necessary to facilitate or expand online learning. This web-enabled resource provides a searchable database for tools to support those involved in education and the workforce, at all levels, and from all communities as they scale up capabilities for online learning and continue teaching, learning, and working from home.

Read the full article on the A4L website.

Your Data is Safe with WSIPC

WSIPC has been part of the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) since its inception. We also participate with the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and other data privacy resources to ensure we stay informed and engaged.

Student data privacy is a top concern for WSIPC, and we will continue to do our utmost to ensure that your data is protected.

To learn about WSIPC’s data security policies and practices, see our Data Privacy page on our website, or contact us at info@wsipc.org or 425.349.6600.

WSIPC is a non-profit public agency that provides technology solutions (including Qmlativ), services, and support to K-12 schools. WSIPC’s purpose is to help schools do more with every dollar and to empower them with the tools to work smarter. To learn how your district can become part of the WSIPC Cooperative, contact us at info@wsipc.org or 425.349.6600.

WSIPC. Inspired by education. Empowered by technology.^TM