The U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) has issued a guidance video concerning the use of email in schools and student data privacy. In the short video, the Department briefly explains the protections afforded student personally identifiable information (PII) by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and asks school employees to evaluate the risks associated with using email as a convenient means of transmitting such sensitive information.
If you haven’t starting utilizing PTAC as your “one-stop” resource for information about data privacy, confidentiality and security practices related to the use of student data, I strongly encourage you to do so. The PTAC website provides information and updated guidance on privacy, confidentiality and security practices. Available resources include training materials and opportunities to receive direct assistance with privacy, security and confidentiality of student data systems. It’s definitely worth a look.
For general questions about FERPA, PII or student data privacy, please contact the OSBA division of legal services.