U.S. Department of EducationSafeguarding Student Privacy

Melanie MuenzerU.S. Department of Education

Chief of StaffOffice of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development

Data is one of the four assurances in ARRAand is also fundamental to the other three.

Raise standards and improve

assessments.

Recruit, retain & support effective educators, and

ensure equitable distribution.

Build robust data systems

that track student progressand improve practice.

Turn around low-performing schools, focusing on dropout

factories and their feeder schools.

Our initiatives rely on high quality, timely data to inform decision-making

and improve educational outcomes.

Strengthen Transparency and Increase Accountability

Improve Instruction and Programs

Empower Families

Protect Student Privacy

New U.S. Department of EducationInitiatives to Protect Data Privacy

Provide a one-stop resource for SEAs, LEAs, and the post-secondary community regarding data privacy, confidentiality, and security practices in education

databases.

Privacy Technical Assistance Center

Clarify how States can effectively develop and use data in Statewide longitudinal data

systems while ensuring protection of individual privacy.

FERPA Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking

Release a series of technical briefs providing guidance on privacy issues such as data

stewardship, electronic data security, and statistical methods for data protection.

Technical Briefs & Non-Regulatory

GuidanceCreate a new senior advisor position at ED to

work on all privacy policies and programs, including overseeing FPCO and serving on the PTAC advisory

board.

Chief Privacy Officer

Evaluate process improvements for the Family Policy Compliance Office to expand technical

assistance and resolve complaints.

FPCO Process Improvements

Solicit external suggestions on ways ED can address emerging challenges in protecting student data in data systems. Post your input on www.ed.gov by

August 13th.

Privacy Recommendations for Public Input

Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

Request for Information: https://www.fbo.govDevelop coordinated guidance and communication

about privacy, confidentiality, and security measures

Communicate to stakeholders about outreach activities and changes to requirements, practices,

and regulations

Facilitate SEAs, LEAs, and postsecondary institutions sharing lessons learned surrounding

privacy matters

Create training materials on privacy, confidentiality, and security issues

Offer virtual and in-person settings for collaboration

Provide “one-stop” capability to share policies and practices with education data systems

professionals

Share lessons learned about privacy protection practices from other government agencies and

industries

Technical BriefsED is launching a new series of technical briefs on various aspects of the protection of personally identifiable information in student education records.

Chief Privacy OfficerED is creating a new Chief Privacy Officer position at the Department to be responsible for:

ED’s compliance with and advice on federal laws, regulations, and policies related to information

privacyAdvising on privacy policy including legislative

language, regulations, and non-regulatory guidance

Advising ED offices on inclusion of privacy, confidentiality, and data security requirements in

policies and programs

Oversight of the Family Policy Compliance Office

Training ED employees and contractors on privacy

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act

Issued June 2010

Addresses disclosure of education records to outside parties when responding to emergencies, including natural or man-made disasters. The exceptions to FERPA’s general consent rule that may be applicable and that are discussed are –

- Directory Information- Health or Safety Emergency- Judicial Order or Lawfully Issued Subpoena

Issued June 2010

Addresses disclosure of education records to outside parties when responding to emergencies, including natural or man-made disasters. The exceptions to FERPA’s general consent rule that may be applicable and that are discussed are –

- Directory Information- Health or Safety Emergency- Judicial Order or Lawfully Issued Subpoena

FPCO Process ImprovementsED is investing in the Family Policy Compliance Office at ED to expand the technical assistance available to the public and to be able to resolve complaints more quickly.

Hiring outside consultants to advise on new guidance

Improve internal processes to increase efficiency

Revise the complaint form for parents and students and post it online

External Privacy Recommendations for ED

Full recommendations are available online at:http://www.ed.gov/blog/2010/06/data-security-and-privacy-

protections/

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