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As an instructional coach and future educational leader, I am committed to protecting student information and supporting compliance with student privacy laws.

Audience: Teachers, campus administrators, instructional leaders.

Topic: Student Data Privacy in K–12 education.

Why I Chose This Topic: As technology plays a growing role in education, protecting student data is essential to uphold legal and ethical responsibilities, ensure student safety, and maintain trust in schools.

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Federal Agency:
The U.S. Department of Education oversees FERPA by offering legal guidance, oversight, and procedures to address student privacy violations. It also provides resources, training, and policy updates to help schools stay compliant (U.S. Department of Education, n.d).

State Agency (Texas):
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) ensures that school districts follow state privacy laws and responsibly manage student information. It offers guidance, reviews district policies, and investigates potential violations (Texas Education Agency, n.d).

What I Learned:
Both agencies are essential in establishing legal requirements and helping schools through training and compliance support. Their oversight, through investigations and corrective actions, highlights the importance placed on student data privacy across all levels of education.

Citation: (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.; Texas Education Agency, n.d.)

References

U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ferpa

Texas Education Agency. (n.d.). Information about Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/contact-us/complaints/information-about-family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act

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Federal Law
Source: U.S. Constitution, 14th Amendment

Link: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/

Upholds individual privacy by guaranteeing due process rights (U.S. Constitution, amend. XIV)

Serves as a legal foundation for protecting student data in schools (U.S. Constitution, amend. XIV)

State Law (Texas)
Source: Texas Constitution, Article I, Section 8

Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm

Safeguards the right to express and share information freely (Texas Constitution, art. I, § 8)

Influences how privacy rights are understood and applied in schools (Texas Constitution, art. I, § 8)

Citation: (U.S. Const. amend. XIV; Tex. Const. art. I, § 8)

References

U.S. Constitution. amend. XIV. https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/

Texas Constitution. art. I, § 8. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm

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Statute – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Link: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/1232g

Gives parents and eligible students the right to view and request changes to education records (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974)

Restricts the release of personally identifiable information unless written consent is given or specific legal exceptions apply (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974)

Administrative Law – FERPA Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 99)

Link: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-99

Clarifies terms like “directory information” and specifies when data can be shared without consent (34 C.F.R. Part 99)

Describes enforcement processes and the U.S. Department of Education’s responsibility in addressing violations (34 C.F.R. Part 99)

Citation: (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974; 34 C.F.R. Part 99)

References:

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/1232g

Code of Federal Regulations. (2025). Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 99. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-A/part-99

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Source: Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo, 534 U.S. 426 (2002)

Link: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-1073.ZO.html

The U.S. Supreme Court decided that peer grading is not a violation of FERPA (Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo, 2002)

Clarified how “education records” are defined under FERPA (Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo, 2002)

Determined that student-graded assignments, prior to teacher collection, are not official records

Limited FERPA’s reach in classroom settings to formal recordkeeping by the school

Citation: (Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo, 2002)

Reference

Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo, 534 U.S. 426 (2002). https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-1073.ZO.html

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Source: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) – 16 C.F.R. Part 312

Link: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-312

Governs how websites, apps, and educational technology collect data from children under age 13 (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998)

Mandates verified parental consent before collecting personal details (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998)

Covers K–12 digital tools that gather student information (16 C.F.R. Part 312)

Designed to safeguard the privacy of young children online (16 C.F.R. Part 312)

Citation: (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998; 16 C.F.R. Part 312)

References

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, 15 U.S.C. §§ 6501–6506. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-91

Code of Federal Regulations. (2025). Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 312. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-312

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Source: San Angelo ISD Board Policy FL Local – Student Records

Link: San Angelo ISD Employee Handbook (2023–2024)

Specifies which individuals within the district are authorized to access and review student records (San Angelo ISD Board Policy FL Local, 2023)

Mandates staff training on data privacy and details procedures for responding to breaches (San Angelo ISD Board Policy FL Local, 2023)

Complies with FERPA and state-level student privacy regulations in Texas

Citation: (San Angelo ISD Board Policy FL Local, 2023)

Reference

San Angelo Independent School District. (2023). Board policy FL (Local): Student records. In Employee handbook 2023–2024. https://www.saisd.org/fs/resource-manager/view/0e2508cc-4f45-41ea-a09f-d81beb286ce9

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Secure Data Storage: Use encryption and strong passwords to protect student records (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.)

Helps prevent unauthorized access and shields data from cyber threats

Restricted Data Access: Allow only authorized personnel to view student information (Texas Education Agency, 2019)

Reduces the chances of accidental leaks or intentional misuse

Continuous Staff Training: Offer yearly training on FERPA and cybersecurity practices (International Society for Technology in Education, 2024)

Ensures staff stay informed on privacy requirements and reduces compliance risks

Citation: (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.; Texas Education Agency, 2019; International Society for Technology in Education, 2024)

References

U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Security best practices. Protecting Student Privacy. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/topic/security-best-practices​

Texas Education Agency. (2019). Cybersecurity tips and tools. Texas Gateway. https://texasgateway.org/resource/cybersecurity-tips-and-tools​Texas

International Society for Technology in Education. (2024). Digital citizenship in education. https://iste.org/digital-citizenship​

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Ethical Code: Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics – Standard 3.1

Link: Texas Educators' Code of Ethics (PDF)

Standard 3.1 requires educators to keep student information confidential unless sharing it is legally required or serves a valid professional purpose (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2, Standard 3.1, 2018)

Reinforces FERPA and highlights educators’ ethical responsibility to safeguard student data​

Protecting confidentiality fosters trust with families and supports compliance with privacy regulations

Citation: (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2, Standard 3.1, 2018)

Reference

Texas Administrative Code. (2018). Code of ethics and standard practices for Texas educators, 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2. https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/educators-code-of-ethics

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Overview:
Exploring FERPA and other privacy laws gave me a clearer understanding of educators’ legal duties when managing student data.
It showed me how these laws directly impact everyday classroom activities and the use of digital tools.
This experience emphasized the importance of compliance and the role educators play in creating a trustworthy school environment.

Reflection:
I now feel confident supporting teachers in using student data responsibly and within legal boundaries.
This understanding has strengthened my readiness to lead with integrity.
It also deepens my commitment to protecting student rights and setting a strong professional example.

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Protect all sensitive student data with encryption to block unauthorized access (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974)​

Allow only approved personnel to access student information (Texas Administrative Code § 247.2)​

Get parental permission before using digital tools that collect student data (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998)​

Ensure all staff receive yearly training on FERPA and cybersecurity (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974)​

Use only district-approved digital tools that meet privacy standards (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998)​

Review and update district data privacy policies each year (Texas Administrative Code § 247.2)​

Report any data breaches promptly, following district procedures (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974)​

Keep both staff and families informed about student data privacy policies (Texas Administrative Code § 247.2)

Citation: (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 1974; Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998; Texas Administrative Code § 247.2)

References

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g. (1974). U.S. Department of Education. https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ferpa

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, 15 U.S.C. §§ 6501–6506. (1998). Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa

Texas Administrative Code. (2018). Code of ethics and standard practices for Texas educators, § 247.2. Texas Education Agency. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/sbec-rules-tac/sbec-tac-currently-in-effect/19-tac-chapter-247