Journal Review: Student Data Privacy, Digital Learning, and Special Education: Challenges at the Intersection of Policy and Practice

This article was a review of the fact that digital teaching and learning in schools is a double-edge sword. As the authors state, technology has "raised the specter of dangerous and privacy-invading misuse, simultaneous with the potential for customizing education" (Stahl, Karger, 2016). The authors briefly talk about the promises of educational technology being able to provide teachers with an unimaginable amount data, while providing the ability to analyze the data. Schools and educational researchers can easily see how the demographics of students correlate to pedagogical practices and student achievement.

However, Stahl and Karger focus greatly on the concerns that arise as schools collect more data on students and as schools continue to partner with more and more third-party vendors that have access to that student data. The main focus of concern from parents and student advocates focus on understanding what data is being collected and whom has access to that data. Stahl and Karger provide situations in which teachers and staff might form biases on students based on records of negative behavior or poor academic performance. They also reference a study that found many districts signed contracts with third-party vendors that didn't prohibit the sale or use of student data for marketing and advertising purposes (Stahl, Karger, 2016).

Finally, current federal laws that impact student privacy were discusses. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) states that parents and students have the right to view the education records of the students and can request a change or challenge any information in the records. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides greater transparency for parents. It states that schools must tell parents what information is being collected on a student with a disability, why, and how that information will be stored. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was enacted to protect children under 14 from having their data used for commercial purposes.

In general, this article provided more information about student data privacy than I have received prior. I have seen these acronyms before, but didn't understand what they meant to how they impact student data and privacy. All educators should have a basic understanding of these laws to prevent violating these laws as we try to expand our digital pedagogy.

Stahl, W. M., & Karger, J. (2016). Student Data Privacy, Digital Learning, and Special Education: Challenges at the Intersection of Policy and Practice. Journal Of Special Education Leadership, 29(2), 79-88.