PPRA
- What is it? The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment
- When was it created? 1978
- Who/what does it apply to? This law applies to any educational program at the federal, state, or local level that is funded by the U.S. Department of Education that seeks to collect information from students. It is a counterpart to FERPA.
- Who/what does it protect? This law protects 8 areas of confidential and/or sensitive information being obtained from students by surveys, screenings, or other methods. The confidential and/or sensitive information could include political affiliations, medical needs of the student or his/her family, religious practices, illegal/demeaning behavior, income, and more.
- How does this impact students? Online surveys and student email can make it very easy to gather information from students. The marketing and selling of this information is how many companies make profits. It's important for students to know their privacy rights.
- How does this impact parents/guardians? Parents/guardians have a right to written notification of their child's participation in any survey or analysis by a federally funded program. Parents/guardians can opt their child out of a survey, analysis or other information gathering method. Also, any materials used to gather information from students can be inspected by parents/guardians including videos, books, or other resources that will be used in an analysis, evaluation, or survey.
- How is this communicated? To be in compliance with PPRA, local agencies must have three forms of notifications to parents/guardians before gathering information:
1. Notification of parent/guardian rights
2. Notification of events such as physical examinations, marketing of information, or if any of the 8 protected areas will be screened.
3. Notification of the policies in place within the local agency to show compliance.
- What if my rights have been violated? If you feel a violation of PPRA has occurred, contact your campus administrator, district superintendent, or school board. You can also contact the Family Policy Compliance Office.