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11.10 - Student Privacy Protections

Resources

U.S. Department of Education [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - FERPA]

U.S. Department of Education [Protecting Student Privacy - PPRA]

Surveys

All surveys requesting personal information from students, as well as any other instrument used to collect personal information from students, must advance or relate to the District’s educational objectives, or assist students’ career choices.  This applies to all surveys, regardless of whether the student answering the questions can be identified or who created the survey.

Surveys by Third Parties

Before a school official or staff member administers or distributes a survey or evaluation created by a third party to a student, the student’s parent/guardian may inspect the survey or evaluation, upon their request and within a reasonable time of their request. This applies to every survey: (1) that is created by a person or entity other than a district official, staff member, or student, (2) regardless of whether the student answering the questions can be identified, and (3) regardless of the subject matter of the questions.

Parents who object to disclosure of information concerning their child to a third party may do so in writing to the building principal.

Surveys Requesting Personal Information

School officials and staff members will not request, nor disclose, the identity of any student who completes any survey or evaluation (created by any person or entity, including the school or district) containing one or more of the following items:

  • Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
  • Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
  • Behavior or attitudes about sex.
  • Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
  • Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships.
  • Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.
  • Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
  • Income other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program.

The student’s parent/guardian may: (1) inspect the survey or evaluation upon, and within a reasonable time of, their request, and/or (2) refuse to allow their child to participate in the survey. The school will not penalize any student whose parent/guardian exercised this option.

Instructional Material

Board policy 6:260 Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs, states that parents/guardians have the right to inspect any instructional material used as part of their child’s educational curriculum pursuant to Board of Education policy 7:15, Student and Family Privacy Rights.

The term “instructional material” means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, printed or representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). The term does not include academic tests or academic assessments.

A parent/guardian with a question or concern related to curriculum or library materials should begin a conversation with their child’s school principal prior to submitting a formal Curriculum Objection form. In many situations, an alternative solution may be settled upon without the need for a formal objection. A staff member most closely associated with the specific topic (teacher, District Librarian, relevant administrator) may be engaged in this discussion. An informal discussion does not require the submission of a formal Curriculum Objection form. 

Prohibition on Selling or Marketing Students’ Personal Information 

No school official or staff member may market or sell personal information concerning students (or otherwise provide that information to others for that purpose). The term personal information means individually identifiable information including: (1) a student or parent’s first and last name, (2) a home or other physical address (including street name and the name of the city or town), (3) a telephone number, (4) a Social Security identification number or (5) driver’s license number or State identification card.

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the above paragraph does not apply: (1) if the student’s parent/guardian have consented; or (2) to the collection, disclosure or, use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating or providing educational products or services for, or to, students or educational institutions., such as the following:

  • College or other postsecondary education recruitment, or military recruitment.
  • Book clubs, magazines, and programs providing access to low-cost literary products. 
  • Curriculum and instructional materials used by elementary schools and secondary schools. 
  • Tests and assessments to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information about students (or to generate other statistically useful data for the purpose of securing such tests and assessments) and the subsequent analysis and public release of the aggregate data from such tests and assessments. 
  • The sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related or education-related activities. 
  • Student recognition programs.

Under no circumstances may a school official or staff member provide a student’s personal information to a business organization or financial institution that issues credit or debit cards A parent/guardian who desires to opt their child out of participation in activities provided herein or who desires a copy or access to a survey or any other material described herein may contact the Building Principal.

Cross-reference:
Round Lake Area Schools Community Unit School District 116 Policy 7:15, Student and Family Privacy Rights