Education is changing. New technologies are allowing information to flow within schools and beyond, enabling new learning environments and providing new tools to improve the way teachers teach and the way students learn. Data-driven innovations are bringing advances in teaching and learning but are accompanied by concerns about how education data, particularly student-generated data, are being collected and used.
The Future of Privacy Forum believes that there are critical improvements to learning that are enabled by data and technology, and that the use of data and technology is not antithetical to protecting student privacy. In order to facilitate this balance, FPF equips and connects advocates, industry, policymakers, and practitioners with substantive practices, policies, and other solutions to address education privacy challenges at both the K-12 and higher ed levels.
For more information and resources, please visit Student Privacy Compass, a one-stop shop for information, news, and analysis on maintaining student data privacy.
Georgetown – FPF: Valuable Partnership and Talent Channel
Each of the last three years, FPF has taken a top Georgetown student and immersed them in the world of privacy. FPF fellows collaborate with advocates, academics, and companies and handle projects that lead to best practices, white papers, codes of conduct, and the like.
Stacey Gray Featured on KUCI 88.9 FM
Today, Stacey Gray, FPF Policy Counsel, was featured on Privacy Piracy to talk consumer privacy and connected devices. Stacey discussed many topics covered in her report, Always On: Privacy Implications of Microphone-Enabled Devices.
Seven Basic Security Checks for Evaluating Educational Platforms
FPF has produced a checklist to assist parents and schools in considering the “basics” of security standards on new ed tech products and services they may be considering or using. In on-line security, there is unfortunately no “one size fits all” solution, but with so many products and services available, this checklist is designed to provide some initial key triggers of areas that either meet a basic threshold, or might serve as discussion points for further review with the company involved.
FPF Guide to Student Data Protections Under SOPIPA: For K-12 School Administrators and Ed Tech Vendors
We are pleased to announce that we are publishing the FPF Guide to Student Data Protections Under SOPIPA: For K-12 School Administrators and Ed Tech Vendors. Co-written with education privacy experts Linnette Attai of PlayWell LLC, Amelia Vance of the National Association of State Boards of Education, and David B. Rubin, Esq., this document provides a in-depth analysis for ed tech companies.
FPF Hires New Policy Counsel – Amelia Vance
We are thrilled to welcome Amelia Vance to Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) as of November 7, 2016, as Policy Counsel. In this position, Amelia will lead FPF’s work to ensure the responsible use of student data and education technology in schools, helping educators with resources and information, and seeking inputs from all stakeholders to ensure students succeed.
Future of Privacy Forum Welcomes New Leader for Student Data Privacy Program
Washington, DC – Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) announced that Amelia Vance has joined the organization as Policy Counsel. Her portfolio includes student privacy for K-12 and Higher Education environments, and education technology initiatives. Vance leads FPF’s work to ensure the responsible use of student data and education technology in schools, helping educators with resources and information, and seeking inputs from all stakeholders to ensure students succeed.
FPF Commends New America's Report on Predictive Analytics in Higher Education
New America released a report today that addresses the use of data in higher ed analytics – predicting student outcomes and managing university academic programs based on prior data. The growing ability to gather and analyze this data allows colleges to intervene with students struggle, put in place mentoring programs, create support structures addressing “whole student” welfare, ultimately improving academic outcomes and graduation rates.
Student Privacy Pledge Loopholes? Nope. We Did Our Homework.
The Student Privacy Pledge was introduced over two years ago by the Future of Privacy Forum and the Software and Information Industry Association. It was endorsed by the White House and published at the forefront of the movement to clarify responsible practices in the collection, protection, and use of student data as the presence of technology in schools expanded. The Pledge has since been signed by more than 300 ed tech companies as a way to help demonstrate their commitment to student privacy.
Supporting Parental Choice for Student Data
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) released, “Supporting Parental Choice for Student Data.” The paper discusses the importance of trusting parents to make the final decision on when and where to share their child’s educational information outside of the school environment.
Student Privacy Pledge Reaches Milestone of 300 Signatories
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) are pleased to announce that the Student Privacy Pledge has passed a new milestone – over 300 ed tech company signatories. The Pledge is a list of commitments that school service providers can make to affirm that K-12 student information is kept private and secure.