As an local public education agency (LEA), we are required to maintain the privacy of student data. The secure use of data is vital to ensuring the safety of our students. As Technology Director, I have been certified in Criminal Justice Information System Security & Awareness Level 4. This means that the Tech Dept is aware of measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of our students' identities and protect the privacy of corresponding data. Each employee has been trained and has signed the confidentiality employee contract. Each employee has been trained in CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act), COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations. However, these laws do not "adequately protect student privacy in today's world of evolving technology and information use." (ww2.ed.gov)
The Texas State Legislature is now addressing additional Formal Cybersecurity Policies which will be available to school districts in the new legislative session. The Department of Education is working with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) to bolster formal cybersecurity education in Pre-K through 12th grade and in CTE & post-secondary education.
We have provided all stakeholders with Security Modules and Assessments. We are now asking that 6-12th grades utilize these modules with their students. I will be adding Security Modules as I am able and if you work it out with your peer teachers as to who will teach or address which module, you will be able to take credit for that on your CIPA Form. The CIPA Form must be filled out before then end of the school year by each educator. The Data Security Checklist will need to be completed before the end of the first semester.