Best Practices in Data Privacy

It's essential that educators keep student data private and secure. This is a requirement of federal and state laws governing schools and data sharing for minors. Even while protecting the privacy of student data, schools can still allow controlled, secure access by trusted individuals when doing so helps students learn and helps educators do their jobs better.

According to the 2016 Future of Privacy Forum Survey, the overwhelming majority of parents surveyed support the collection and use of the following student data by educators and administrators in schools or at the district level for educational purposes: grades, attendance records, special needs status, standardized test scores and disciplinary records. Getting data privacy and security right can mean a secure and interoperable data ecosystem that helps educators and parents better understand a student's needs and successes, but getting it wrong can mean headaches, frustrated families and possibly running afoul of state or federal law.

See how a product adheres to best practices in privacy by looking for the following validation information:

1EdTech Data Privacy Seal

The 1EdTech Seal of Data Privacy is awarded once an application's privacy policy and terms of service successfully meet the criteria outlined on the 1EdTech TrustEd Apps Data Privacy Rubric and demonsrate compliance with applicable privacy laws like COPPA, FERPA, and GDPR. The TrustEd Apps data privacy rubric is used by 1EdTech and OKCPS to vet applications and produce reports shown in the 1EdTech TrustEd Apps Product Directory.

EdSurge

Since 2012, the EdSurge Product Index has been the first stop for educators in search of learning technology solutions. The redesigned EdSurge Product Index features enhanced product profiles and validations from trusted education and technology organizations. Now, educators will be able to find the most complete, reliable and up-to-date information available on learning technology products

iKeepSafe FERPA Certification

The FERPA Certification program demonstrates compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that applies to all schools that receive funds from the US Department of Education. It protects the privacy of student education records, and allows parents and eligible students certain rights related to review, control and privacy of those records.

iKeepSafe COPPA Safe Harbor Certification

The COPPA Safe Harbor Certification program demonstrates that practices surrounding collection, use, maintenance and disclosure of personal information from children under the age of 13 are consistent with principles and requirements of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

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