Why should classroom teachers care about student data privacy?
In the modern world, every bit of information is updated on an app that keeps track of and records every individual. Nowadays, such apps are being used everywhere as they make the process of record-keeping easy and simple. However, this puts the personal information of students at risk, as anyone can have access to a student’s educational record. Education record consists of files or material that is related to a student and is maintained by the educational institute.
What are the privacy issues involved in approving this request?
Approving such a request where the parent is allowed to observe the teaching environment as well as other students allows an outsider to gain personal information about the educational institute. The parents get access to the ways in which a teacher performs in his or her classroom, thereby allowing the parent to make judgments on the basis of what he or she observes.
What federal and state laws do we need to follow?
Parents have to review medical records that are maintained by the state or local education agencies. Both teachers and parents should become accustomed to the procedures involved in the release and protection of educational records. FERPA secures access to a student’s educational record, which provides information about the student’s past education as well as current one. The child gets the right to review his or her education record when they turn the age of 18.
What are the limitations of those concerns with regard to this request?
By allowing someone to observe a session being held in the classroom, the teacher grants access to the parent to comment on the teaching methods that are being used in classrooms. In addition to this, the parent can show biases on the basis of what he or she observes, which can make them change their mind about putting their child in such an institution. The parent might not agree with the teacher’s teaching method and might intervene, which could lead to the violation of the teacher’s privacy.
References
Gallagher, Kerry., Magid, Larry., & Pruitt, Kobie. (2016). The Educator’s Guide to Student Data Privacy. Retrieved from http://www.connectsafely.org/eduprivacy/
National Forum on Education Statistics (2004). Forum Guide to Protecting the Privacy of Student Information: State and Local Education Agencies, NCES 2004–330. Washington, DC: NCES
Williams, L. (2006). Forum Guide to the Privacy of Student Information: A Resource for Schools.
