Connecticut Education Association: Enormous Student Data Disclosure Threatens Student Privacy

May 28, 2015 BETHELADVOCATE Announcements, Around Town, Government, News, Schools 109

Privacy on keyboard
“School districts must safeguard children’s privacy, and they should never leave students and families in the dark when it comes to sharing sensitive student data,” said CEA President Sheila Cohen, “The state legislature must not allow corporations to download and take ownership of sensitive and confidential student information for potential commercial use. This is not in the best interests of children, schools, and families.”
Report from Paula Antolini
May 28, 2015 9:57AM EDT
Privacy on keyboard
Privacy on keyboard
Connecticut Education Association News Release:

Enormous Student Data Disclosure Threatens Student Privacy

Legislature should respond by protecting children and families

May 27, 2015
HARTFORD, CT-The Hamden School District’s disclosure of personally identifiable student data-without the knowledge of parents or students-to an education industry group should be a lightning rod for legislative action on HB 7017, An Act Concerning Student Data Privacy.”School districts must safeguard children’s privacy, and they should never leave students and families in the dark when it comes to sharing sensitive student data,” said CEA President Sheila Cohen.She added, “The state legislature must not allow corporations to download and take ownership of sensitive and confidential student information for potential commercial use. This is not in the best interests of children, schools, and families.”

The Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER), an organization governed by corporate and industry officials, entered into an agreement with Hamden school administrators to secure personally identifiable student records. The agreement entitles CCER to own the student data and share it with subcontractors who have the capacity to commercialize the data.

Hamden was also requested to provide CCER school campus maps, square footage of buildings, maximum enrollment allowed in building, location codes for each individual school; grade levels, and secondary course info-such as periods of the day courses meet. This information transfer runs contrary to Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-210(b)(19) which discusses the disclosure of records when there are reasonable grounds to believe disclosure may result in a safety risk.

“The amount of information CCER received is staggering,” Cohen said. “According to the agreement, CCER has taken possession of and now owns all student academic information, as well as student identifying codes, demographic and performance information, designations of students with disabilities, students’ Individual Education Plans, their placement status, and detailed information about English Language Learners. Private sector data mining has exploded in many facets of our lives.” Cohen said. “CCER’s data mining has now reached down to our children. The state legislature cannot ignore this problem.”

Cohen also noted that CCER was able to access and take ownership of the student information at no cost-it only promised to provide Hamden with a “District Needs Assessment Report.” According to the agreement, CCER retains ownership of all the raw student data and can use or sell the aggregated data in any way it chooses.

There is concern that there are numerous third parties seeking to build databases of student information. Some are doing so to sell educational software or other products to school districts. Some are collecting student data and misusing that data to tarnish public schools.

People can often protect their privacy in numerous ways. They can reject tracking cookies when using school websites or use VPNs (such as nordvpn vs expressvpn to name two) to encrypt data they send. However, there is still plenty of potentially valuable data that can be collated from students and Cohen and many others believe that this data should not be collected from students in the first place.

According to Cohen, the amount of information that can be made available for corporate gain is overwhelming and deeply troubling. Legislation must be put into effect to protect the privacy and welfare of students.

“Under this agreement, Hamden parents and students would lose ownership and control of sensitive personal information,” Cohen said. “This is a clear and present danger to students and families in Hamden and every other public school where similar agreements are proposed-a situation that provides irrefutable evidence that the legislature needs to act to avoid further privacy infringements. Lawmakers must defend and protect our children because data has never been more vulnerable to misuse, abuse, and breach.”

CEA Executive Director Mark Waxenberg said, “Public education has been called a five-hundred billion dollar sector. The Hamden disclosure is a tipping point and a sign of just how far corporate entities will go to encroach on the privacy of our children and endanger their futures. Public education should not be a profit center for Wall Street hedge fund managers and corporate executives.”

Legislature must make schools safe for children and families

CEA has told Connecticut lawmakers that the Association wants them to restore and improve education records protection. This necessitates the reversal of the U.S. Department of Education weakening of privacy rules by creating a strong Connecticut state law that:

–Restores requirements for parental consent before student Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is shared with a third party or other governmental agencies.

–Extends protections to personally identifiable teacher data, particularly data linked to individual students and classroom levels.

–Requires contractors with responsibility over educational PII to register with the state and to be subject to a fine of up to $50,000 for violating laws.

CEA also urges legislators to increase data use transparency and information available to parents:

–Require parental consent for the sharing of PII and require notification of data uses, data sharing contracts, and parental privacy rights.

–Require the SDE to make public an easily accessible inventory of all individual-level data elements it collects.

Strides in protecting students have been made in many states, including New York, Colorado, Idaho, and California. EducationCounsel.org provides critical information on this topic.

EducationCounsel also has published a helpful look at best practices, state policies, and model legislation: Key Elements for Strengthening State Laws and Policies Pertaining to Student Data Use, Privacy, and Security: Guidance for State Policymakers.

For news reports, court cases, analyses of data security issues, and legal analyses, see the Electronic Data Privacy and Information Center (EPIC) https://epic.org/privacy/student/

The Connecticut Education Association represents 43,000 teachers in Connecticut.

109 Comments

  1. I just want to tell you that I’m very new to blogging and absolutely savored you’re web site. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog . You definitely have amazing articles. Kudos for sharing your web-site.

  2. I amI’m really lovingenjoying the theme/design of your siteweblogweb sitewebsiteblog. Do you ever run into any web browserinternet browserbrowser compatibility problemsissues? A number ofhandful ofcouple ofsmall number offew of my blog audiencevisitorsreaders have complained about my blogwebsitesite not operatingworking correctly in Explorer but looks great in SafariChromeOperaFirefox. Do you have any solutionsideasadvicetipssuggestionsrecommendations to help fix this issueproblem?

  4. I think other web-site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!

  7. Good day very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally¡KI’m satisfied to find numerous useful info here in the submit, we’d like develop extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  8. Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such wonderful information being shared freely out there.

  9. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

  10. excellent publish, very informative. I ponder why the opposite specialists of this sector do not understand this. You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!

  11. Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Great. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.

  12. I keep listening to the news update speak about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?

  13. Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and web and this is actually annoying. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.

  14. I do trust all the ideas you have presented on your post. They are very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for beginners. May you please extend them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  15. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  16. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  17. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  18. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂

  19. Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is just excellent and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  20. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¡¦ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect web-site.

  21. I truly appreciate this post. I¡¦ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again

  22. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

  23. I¡¦ve learn some good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you put to make any such wonderful informative web site.

  25. I carry on listening to the newscast talk about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?

  26. Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content!

  28. I simply wished to say thanks once more. I’m not certain what I would’ve tried without those tricks revealed by you on this situation. It became a real frustrating situation in my position, however , taking a look at a new professional strategy you handled it made me to leap over contentment. I’m just thankful for your work and in addition wish you find out what a powerful job you’re providing training the rest via your web blog. I am certain you haven’t encountered all of us.

  29. I actually wanted to write down a note in order to say thanks to you for all of the pleasant tips and tricks you are posting here. My considerable internet look up has at the end been recognized with brilliant facts to go over with my friends. I would suppose that many of us visitors actually are rather lucky to exist in a really good community with very many outstanding individuals with great suggestions. I feel very blessed to have discovered the site and look forward to so many more awesome moments reading here. Thanks a lot once more for everything.

  30. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.

  31. hi!,I really like your writing so so much! share we be in contact more approximately your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this house to unravel my problem. Maybe that’s you! Having a look forward to see you.

  32. I wish to show my affection for your kindness supporting individuals that must have guidance on in this subject. Your personal commitment to getting the solution across had been amazingly significant and have in most cases made girls like me to achieve their ambitions. Your personal useful guide indicates a lot to me and additionally to my office workers. Thanks a lot; from all of us.

  33. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  34. Hello there, I found your website by the use of Google even as looking for a comparable topic, your web site came up, it seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  35. I do accept as true with all the ideas you’ve offered to your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very quick for newbies. May you please prolong them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  37. I precisely needed to thank you so much again. I do not know what I would’ve achieved without the techniques contributed by you on such concern. It had become a very difficult condition for me, but coming across a specialised approach you solved that took me to weep with joy. I will be happier for the help and expect you recognize what a great job you were undertaking training the rest all through your web site. I know that you have never encountered all of us.

  38. I must express my gratitude for your kind-heartedness giving support to individuals who really want help on that idea. Your real dedication to getting the solution around appears to be amazingly insightful and has specifically encouraged women like me to get to their dreams. The valuable help and advice can mean a great deal a person like me and further more to my colleagues. Warm regards; from each one of us.

  39. Thanks for all your valuable efforts on this site. Kim takes pleasure in doing internet research and it is obvious why. We notice all relating to the powerful way you convey efficient strategies by means of the web site and as well improve contribution from other individuals about this matter then our daughter is in fact becoming educated a lot of things. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the new year. You’re performing a first class job.

  40. Thank you for some other informative blog. The place else may I get that kind of information written in such an ideal method? I have a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such information.

  41. Thank you, I’ve just been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the source?

  42. I just couldn’t leave your site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the standard information a person provide for your guests? Is gonna be back incessantly to check up on new posts

  44. You could certainly see your expertise within the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

  45. Wow, marvelous weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for? you make running a blog glance easy. The whole look of your web site is excellent, as neatly as the content material!

  46. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  48. I¡¦m not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time finding out more or understanding more. Thank you for great information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.

  49. I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a great example of it.

  50. Thank you a lot for giving everyone a very special chance to check tips from this blog. It can be so amazing plus full of fun for me personally and my office mates to visit your site at the least 3 times weekly to study the new things you have. Of course, I’m at all times amazed with all the breathtaking tricks served by you. Some 2 areas in this post are essentially the most effective we’ve ever had.

  51. Wow, incredible blog structure! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy. The entire look of your web site is wonderful, as neatly as the content!

  52. Hi here, just became familiar with your blogging site through Bing and yahoo, and found that it’s seriously useful. I will be grateful should you maintain this informative article.

  53. Fantastic website. Plenty of useful info here. I¡¦m sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your sweat!

  55. I carry on listening to the news speak about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i get some?

  56. It really is near close to impossible to come across well-updated individual on this subject, then again you look like you be aware of what exactly you’re talking about! Appreciate It

  59. I actually wanted to jot down a brief word in order to say thanks to you for those superb solutions you are writing on this site. My prolonged internet investigation has at the end been rewarded with beneficial facts and strategies to talk about with my partners. I ‘d believe that most of us visitors are very fortunate to dwell in a good community with so many special professionals with good suggestions. I feel rather lucky to have used your webpage and look forward to plenty of more fun times reading here. Thank you once more for everything.

  60. Thank you for any other informative blog. The place else could I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect method? I’ve a undertaking that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.

  61. Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  62. I haven¡¦t checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  63. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

  65. Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your web site in web explorer, would test this¡K IE nonetheless is the market leader and a large portion of other people will omit your fantastic writing due to this problem.

  66. It¡¦s actually a nice and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  67. Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a great site.

  68. Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely fantastic. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful site.

  70. Thank you for every other great article. Where else may anyone get that type of information in such a perfect approach of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.

  71. You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I to find this topic to be really one thing which I think I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very huge for me. I’m taking a look ahead for your subsequent publish, I¡¦ll try to get the dangle of it!

  72. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  73. Hi my family member! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I would like to look more posts like this .

  74. I have learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you set to make the sort of excellent informative web site.

  75. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  76. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  77. Excellent blog right here! Additionally your website rather a lot up very fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate link in your host? I want my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  78. Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your website is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¡¦ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect site.

  80. Thank you for your own hard work on this web site. Kim delights in going through investigation and it’s really simple to grasp why. Almost all notice all concerning the compelling form you produce practical guidance through this web blog and even increase contribution from some others on that matter plus my daughter is really starting to learn a lot. Take advantage of the rest of the year. You’re the one performing a superb job.

  81. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

  82. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.

  84. I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are incredible! Thanks!

  85. I’ve been browsing on-line more than 3 hours as of late, but I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It¡¦s lovely price sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the net will be much more helpful than ever before.

  91. I think other site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and magnificent user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!

  93. Thanks , I’ve just been searching for information about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source?

  95. Good website! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!

  96. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one these days..

  97. Somebody necessarily help to make severely posts I’d state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular submit extraordinary. Wonderful activity!

  98. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  99. I am not certain the place you are getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend some time studying more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.

  100. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent info being shared freely out there.

  101. I keep listening to the news lecture about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the top site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?

  102. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  103. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  105. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  107. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  108. Good day very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally¡KI am satisfied to find so many useful information right here within the post, we’d like work out more strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.