Send your kids to the publick screwels?
...the most influential new
product may be the least flashy: a $100 million database built to chart
the academic paths of public school students from kindergarten through
high school.
In operation just three months, the database already
holds files on millions of children identified by name, address and
sometimes social security number. Learning disabilities are documented,
test scores recorded, attendance noted. In some cases, the database
tracks student hobbies, career goals, attitudes toward school - even
homework completion.
Local education officials retain legal
control over their students' information. But federal law allows them to
share files in their portion of the database with private companies
selling educational products and services.
Yah. Facebook---except you and your kid(s) did NOT consent.
And just who has bought this system?
...inBloom officials say they
will likely start to charge fees in 2015. So far, seven states -
Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, and
Massachusetts - have committed to enter data from select school
districts. Louisiana and New York will be entering nearly all student
records statewide.
Wait, wait!! Isn't Louisiana the State governed by a 'Republican policy wonk'?
HT: Ticker
"Yah. Facebook---except you and your kid(s) did NOT consent."
ReplyDeleteActually, they did consent. As stated, school personnel legally have control of that information, and may, within their discretion, use it as how they see fit.
A simple solution...school districts have a checkbox for parents to indicate whether they want that data to be "sold".
Sorry, but no school district has the authority to disclose student information.
ReplyDeleteAsk anyone who works in a school. Grade info, SSANs (!!!) are big secrets.
As you say, please read for meaning..."Local education officials retain legal control over their students' information. But federal law allows them to share files in their portion of the database with private companies selling educational products and services."
ReplyDeleteNow, of course, it depends WHAT is that information being disclosed.
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
I was right. FERPA does NOT allow distribution of records for the purposes outlined in the article I cited.
ReplyDelete