C.A. lawmakers pass bill to protect student online records
California’s state legislature passed a bill with a goal to protect K-12 students’ online records. The bill just needs signed by Governor Jerry Brown to go into effect.
Called the Student Online Personal Information Protection Act, SB 1177 prohibits disclosure and sale of schools’ online student data. The goal of this bill is to protect students from marketers and identity thieves and keep their personal information private.
Technology Analyst Larry Magid said, “I think that most parents would agree that student information should be kept confidential unless the kids or the parents want it revealed.” He says, “Both privacy and security of online student data are becoming increasingly important.
Many schools in the state choose to outsource the administration of student records and have hired private companies to manage it.
Common Sense Media’s Crista Sumanik has been lobbying for the bill to protect students. She believes it delivers a powerful message to companies that intend to earn a profit from selling the online data.
If signed by Gov. Brown, the bill requires that all student and education data be kept secure.
I think this bill is a good idea. Students and education data should not be able to be accessed by just anyone; it is confidential information that should not be disclosed. It’s unfortunate that companies will mal intentions have been able to get their hands on this data in the first place. I am glad that people in California have lobbied to pass this bill and protect students from identity theft and marketers and hope to hear that Gov. Brown agrees.
I think that people (parents) get frustrated when they cannot access everything about their students at a moment’s notice, but often forget that it is in the name of their privacy protection. We can’t sacrifice the privacy of our kids so that things are easier for parents.
As a parent, I wish there were easier ways to access my kids’ school records. I understand privacy, but I also think all the jumping through hoops is a detriment to families.
What many parents don’t realize is that there is sensitive information in some student records — learning disabilities, behavior issues and even home problems. What may seem inconvenient to some parents is actually a necessity to protecting the privacy of K-12 kids.