Dive Brief:

• As schools collect more data about students and their academic performance, in some cases sharing it with third-party vendors, there are certain steps that should be taken to safeguard student privacy.
• According to eSchool News, the new Data Privacy and Security report from the Southern Regional Education Board recommends sufficient funds be set aside for data monitoring, as well as training for those who handle student data in federal student privacy regulations, data laws and policies, and safety practices.
• The report also suggests states make funding available to institutions to hire and train skilled IT staffers, and it recommends states be transparent about data governance policies, making them easily accessible

Dive Insight:

While administrators may clearly see the value of collecting and tracking student data, both for the opportunity to improve current outcomes and develop better strategies for future students, many parents are afraid of the implications of such tracking. Fears about “Big Brother” must be addressed head-on. Schools should be transparent about, not only their data collection policies, but also their reasons for data collection. Share the logic with families and foster trust with this openness.

Still, arguably one of the biggest threats to data security are the end users — the teachers, students and staff members who can open a back door into school networks by clicking the wrong links in emails or voluntarily giving up usernames and passwords to phishing schemes. Communication efforts in schools have to come with training at all levels of the organization.