For Immediate Release

 

Contact:

Lan Neugent
Interim Executive Director, SETDA
[email protected]
202-715-6636 x706

 

SETDA supports Federal Action to Safeguard Student Data & Privacy

Washington, DC – (April 30, 2015) The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) strongly supports the introduction today of the “Student Data Privacy and Parental Rights Act of 2015” sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado and Rep Luke Messer, R-Indiana. The bill, which was crafted with assistance of the White House, would further protect student and parental data rights by prohibiting vendors from selling student data, using data to target students with advertising, establishing data security procedures and setting timelines for the deletion of student information.  The full text of the bill is available here and at www.messer.house.gov.

“SETDA is pleased that the federal government is taking this significant action to further safeguard our nation’s k-12 students, while allowing flexibility at the state level to create laws that would provide additional protection, “ said Lan Neugent, Interim Executive Director of SETDA.

 State education leaders encourage responsible use of data by administrators and teachers as they strive to increase student achievement. Peter Drescher, SETDA Board of Directors Chair and Educational Technology Coordinator, Vermont Education Agency states: “On the state level we are relying heavily on our data systems to make sure that student learning is continually moving in the right direction.  This federal action helps assure us that there are obligations on all who use the data to maintain student privacy and security.”

 In addition, SETDA co-signed with 18 other national organizations on the recently released report, “The Federal Role in Safeguarding Student Data” which advocates for legislation such as the Polis/Messer bill. The full text of the document can be found at: http://dataqualitycampaign.org/find-resources/the-federal-role-in-safeguarding-student-data

 About SETDA:

Founded in 2001, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal non-profit membership association representing U.S. state and territorial educational technology leaders. Our mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice. For more information, please visit: setda.org

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