This article summarizes the Federal Trade Commission oversight hearing of November, 2018. Comprehensive privacy law is discussed, among other topics.
“Manchester School Board To Clarify Privacy Policies After Email Controversy” via New Hampshire Public Radio
Sara Gibson of New Hampshire Public Radio wrote this article about a school board member who used a school district listserv to contact a student. The student wrote an editorial for her school newspaper in support of a teachers’ union. The email may have been a violation of FERPA and other federal policies, according to the author of the article.
Bloomberg Law reports that Privacy Complaints are Piling Up at the USDOE
According to this article, the USDOE is so understaffed that there are some backlogged, unaddressed complaints that are over two years old.
“Facial surveillance, other school security upgrades raise eyebrows in New York” via EDSCOOP
Corinne Lestch of EDSCOOP wrote this article about the Lockport, NY City School District’s plan to purchase a facial surveillance system. The New York Department of Education asked questions about privacy and student data before approval was considered.
“Directory information battle continues between school district, guardians” via Reno Nevada Gazette Journal
This article discusses and grandparent’s desire to prohibit a school board from sharing his granddaughter’s directory with outside groups, such as a church, while still having her involved in school activities, such as yearbooks, class pictures, graduation programs, the honor roll, sports activities, and theatre programs.
“French school to kids: Wear this tracking device or pay a $12 fine” via Fast Company
This article documents a French private school’s requirement that students wear bluetooth enabled location trackers during the school day.
Fairfax County School Board Approves School Resource Officer MOU
The Fairfax County School Board, the tenth largest school district in the nation, approved a new school resource officer Memorandum of Understanding. Highlights from the Fairfax Schools website:
The revised MOU includes the following changes to the previous agreement:
Establishes a clear division between the role of the SRO in criminal matters and FCPS administrative staff on student discipline matters.
Clarifies that SROs are not involved in determining student discipline under the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities regulation.
Establishes that SROs shall not be involved with the enforcement of school rules or disciplinary infractions that are not violations of law.
Removes “stop and frisk” from the MOU.
Adds SRO training focused on implicit bias, disability awareness, crisis intervention training, restorative justice techniques, and cultural competency.
