Data Protection Officer
Todd Walker
Todd Walker
EDUCATION LAW 2-D Information
New York State Education Law Section 2-d, with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects scholar, teacher and principal data. The District is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of district Personally Identifiable Information (PII) (e.g. name, address, date of birth). We are dedicated to promoting the least intrusive data collection policies practicable that advance the goals of improving academic achievement, empowering parents with information and advancing efficient school operations while minimizing the collection and transmission of PII.
PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS FOR DATA PRIVACY AND SECURITY
The Gloversville Enlarged School district has adopted a Parents' Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security which is included in every contract with a third-party contractor that involves the disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Education Law § 2-d mandates that each educational agency develop a Parent Bill of Rights for data privacy and security. The purpose of this document is to provide information to parents and students about certain legal requirements that protect personally identifiable information.
PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS
DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS - Updated as additional agreements are signed.
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Federal Laws that Protect Student Data
Federal Laws that Protect Student Data
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) – The foundational federal law on the privacy of scholars' educational records, FERPA safeguards scholar privacy by limiting who may access scholar records, specifying for what purpose they may access those records, and detailing what rules they have to follow when accessing the data.
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) – PPRA defines the rules state and school districts must follow when administering tools like surveys, analysis, and evaluations funded by the US Department of Education to scholars. It requires parental approval to administer many such tools and ensures that school districts have policies in place regarding how the data collected through these tools can be used.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) – COPPA imposes certain requirements on operators of websites, games, mobile apps or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
COMPLAINTS OF BREACH/UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF PII
Parents and eligible scholars have the right to file complaints about possible breaches or unauthorized releases of a student, teacher, or principal's Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
The district complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Parents and 18-year-old students may inspect official records relating to them including progress reports, grades, aptitude and achievement test scores, psychological tests, and teacher evaluations. A record may be challenged by parents or 18-year-olds when they believe it to be inaccurate or misleading. The principal may remove designated material if in agreement with the challenge. Definitions of school official and additional procedures under FERPA can be found in the Board of Education Policy Manual.
Individual student records are confidential and are not released to colleges, employers, or elsewhere without written permission, subject to the following exceptions. District schools may forward educational records to other schools that have requested them and in which a BH-BL student seeks or intends to enroll. What the law refers to as directory information may be made public for school purposes unless a parent informs us in writing that they do not want this information made public. Directory information that we may make public includes: a student’s name, address, phone number, grade level, honor or award received, dates of attendance, photograph, age, membership in a school athletic team, activity, or club, and (for athletes only) height and weight. Directory information is primarily made public so that students’ accomplishments can be included in various publications such as a concert program, yearbook, or honor roll.
As required by federal law, the high school provides a list of senior class member names, addresses, and phone numbers to the military services—unless parents inform the high school principal in writing by September 15 that they do not want their child included in such lists.
Parents and 18-year-old students have the right to opt out of the disclosure of directory information by contacting their school principal. Parents should also inform the Superintendent if they do not wish their child’s likeness to be included on the district website, Facebook page or in occasional photos or videos taken by the media or district staff for school-related purposes.
Also, in accordance with the federal Protection of Pupil Rights amendment, the district hereby notifies parents that our schools may occasionally conduct student surveys that touch on topics such as political affiliation, income, or beliefs or religious practices of the student. In such cases, a letter will be sent home explaining parents’ rights to opt a child out from such a survey before it is conducted.
Questions about school policies in connection with family rights and privacy laws can be addressed to building principals or the Superintendent.