How Should Schools Respond to Law Enforcement Requests for Student Records?

The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) has released a new paper designed to help school and district personnel understand how to respond to law enforcement requests for student information.

"With the repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program last month," according to a news release from FPF, "it is important that schools — and the companies that serve them — understand their legal options and when they may be required to disclose student personal information to law enforcement."

The guide suggests two best practices related to requests for student information from law enforcement:

  • Meet with legal counsel to determine what obligations exist; and
  • Align the amount and type of student data collected to the programs and services provided to avoid collecting unnecessary data about students.

"If schools collect student immigration status data, it is considered part of the student record and is protected by FERPA," said Amelia Vance, education policy counsel at FPF and co-author of the paper, in a prepared statement.

The paper also offers answers to several common questions about student data requests, such as "what are my school's obligations under FERPA?" and "How should the school keep parents or students informed of records requests?"

To access the full paper, visit fpf.org.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Accessibility Enhancements for DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education has updated DreamBox Math, an online math program for K–8 students to supplement core instruction, to improve accessibility for K–5 students, according to a news release. DreamBox Math provides personalized instruction by adapting to individual learners’ responses and providing an engaging, dynamic learning environment.

  • stylized illustration of a modern laptop on a classroom desk, displaying a digital AI certification

    Partnership Brings AI Credentialing Product to Minecraft Education Platform

    Prodigy Learning and Minecraft Education have partnered to bring credentialing in AI skills to the Minecraft learning environment. "AI Ready Skills" is the third learning, assessment, and credentialing product from the two companies.

  • metallic padlock with a glowing keyhole, set on a dark gradient background with a faint digital grid and blue-green highlights

    Microsoft Announces Security Updates

    Microsoft has introduced a handful of new security tools and updates, which the company said adhere to its Secure Future Initiative, a set of three core tenets emphasizing "secure by design, secure by default and secure operations."

  • abstract circuit patterns, featuring small icons of coins and dollar symbols in blue, green, and gold tones

    Report: 90% of Schools Depend on E-rate Funding Every Year

    A new report from Funds for Learning highlights the critical role of the Federal Communications Commission's E-rate program in funding essential technologies and services for K-12 schools.