District News
Data confidentiality: How Seattle Public Schools protects student information
Seattle Public Schools understands concerns about confidentiality of student data, specifically the release of data for commercial purposes or “data mining.” We truly value the confidentiality of the District’s student information and we recognize the significance of this concern. Seattle Public Schools does not share student data for commercial use or data mining.
As a District, we strictly adhere to the Superintendent Procedure on Student Records and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements to protect the confidentiality of student information.
What does the law say?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. This law outlines when schools must have written permission to release information from a student’s educational record. Some examples are when partnering with a Community Based Organization, such as where a university is researching the impacts of instructional practices on student achievement and students are participating in afterschool programs. FERPA also describes when student records can be disclosed without consent. Some examples are when a teacher or principal have a legitimate educational interest, a student is transferring to another school, and to the appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies. For a complete list of the exceptions please refer to the footnote 2. In certain circumstances parents can decline to have their student’s data shared or “opt out”.
What does District Procedure say?
The Superintendent’s Procedure builds upon the FERPA law with detail regarding how educational records can be released and disclosed within Seattle Public Schools.
How do the District’s Agreements/Contracts Address Confidentiality
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Any data sharing the District engages in with a third party (including all grants and contracts such as the federal Race to the Top grant and the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment) requires either a Data Sharing Agreement or a Contract which restrict use of any shared data. This ensures that both the District and the third party are meeting the Student Record and Confidentiality requirements of the Superintendents Procedure and FERPA.
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Sharing Agreements and Contracts involving student data are required to include an explicit Obligation and Confidentiality Clause. These clauses guarantee any external party and members of that party adhere to the same district requirements.
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Data Sharing Agreements and Contracts involving student data clearly outline penalties such as loss of access, disciplinary action, dismissal or prosecution should there be deliberate or accidental misuse of the data.
How do families opt out?
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Families cannot opt out of releasing student data that is mandated through State and Federal regulations.
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Families can opt out of District and State Assessments by submitting a written letter to the school requesting to opt out of the assessment.
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Families can opt out of certain activities (for example afterschool programs) by not signing up for the activity and/or not signing the forms that provide consent for release of student information in the registration paperwork (this may be a requirement to participate in the activity).