The SOPIPA recently became law in California but many district leaders are unsure of its existence or how to respond. Based on your experience, what steps would you put into place in the school or district you are studying? What advice would you give to the leadership team based on your analysis?
With the passing of the Student Online Personal Information Protection (SOPIPA) on January 1, 2016 we must consider how we collect and store student data. SOPIPA protects students from the release of their personal information via internet or media sources. This includes first and last name, address, academic assessment data, photos, voice recordings, and anything that will expose their personal information. Education leaders should definitely begin by evaluating the current collection systems they have in place. A full analysis of the security capabilities of each system is also needed. Once it the security and collection systems are understood with complete transparency, an effort must be made to protect the information once any potential security breach is discovered. If I were an administrator, upon learning of SOPIPA, I would definitely put in place a team who is well-versed in internet information laws who will be able to identify the threats. This team should also serve to analyze any programs educators want to use in the classroom to ensure the protection of both the organization and most importantly the students.
Currently, it is commonplace to see blended learning and internet based assessments to track student growth. District X uses MAP testing, Lexia Core 5, Compass Odyssey, Google Apps, and Accelerated Reader. Some teachers use free programs such as Sumdog, SpellingCity, Mathgamesforkids, and others simply because they are free and user friendly. No consideration is paid to SOPIPA when teachers register their students. As a matter of fact, every teacher I asked had no idea about SOPIPA. That leads me to advice I may share with education leaders. Administrators should give consideration to inform their staff about the legislation that exists to protect students from being shared online. Some teachers even share video of student’s learning experiences on Instagram or other social media. Even if they are hiding the children’s faces, SOPIPA also protects them for their recorded voices being shared via the internet. Teachers must be informed. I would strongly advise them to become informed, inform others, and finally take precautions.
With the passing of the Student Online Personal Information Protection (SOPIPA) on January 1, 2016 we must consider how we collect and store student data. SOPIPA protects students from the release of their personal information via internet or media sources. This includes first and last name, address, academic assessment data, photos, voice recordings, and anything that will expose their personal information. Education leaders should definitely begin by evaluating the current collection systems they have in place. A full analysis of the security capabilities of each system is also needed. Once it the security and collection systems are understood with complete transparency, an effort must be made to protect the information once any potential security breach is discovered. If I were an administrator, upon learning of SOPIPA, I would definitely put in place a team who is well-versed in internet information laws who will be able to identify the threats. This team should also serve to analyze any programs educators want to use in the classroom to ensure the protection of both the organization and most importantly the students.
Currently, it is commonplace to see blended learning and internet based assessments to track student growth. District X uses MAP testing, Lexia Core 5, Compass Odyssey, Google Apps, and Accelerated Reader. Some teachers use free programs such as Sumdog, SpellingCity, Mathgamesforkids, and others simply because they are free and user friendly. No consideration is paid to SOPIPA when teachers register their students. As a matter of fact, every teacher I asked had no idea about SOPIPA. That leads me to advice I may share with education leaders. Administrators should give consideration to inform their staff about the legislation that exists to protect students from being shared online. Some teachers even share video of student’s learning experiences on Instagram or other social media. Even if they are hiding the children’s faces, SOPIPA also protects them for their recorded voices being shared via the internet. Teachers must be informed. I would strongly advise them to become informed, inform others, and finally take precautions.