The Future of Privacy Forum has released this guide as a resource for federal, state and local policymakers interested in developing thoughtful student data privacy legislation. The guide is a starting point to help policymakers craft or update laws addressing student privacy. It covers federal laws, as well as the broad approaches that states have taken, including the policies that have caused unintended consequences. Additionally, the guide includes student privacy topics that policymakers commonly address, such as school safety, third-party data use, transparency and parental rights.
Policymaker’s Guide to Student Data Privacy

CIPM, CIPP/A, CIPP/C, CIPP/E, CIPP/G, CIPP/US, CIPT
Credits: 2
Related Stories
Law Enforcement Access to Student Records: A Guide for School Administrators & Ed Tech Service Providers
The Future of Privacy Forum published this guide as a basic primer on the compliance landscape of data requests to school and service providers from law enforcement.
Click to View (PDF)...
State Student Privacy Law Compendium
The Center for Democracy & Technology has developed a state-by-state compendium of privacy laws relating to the collection, use, and sharing of student data. The compendium lists key student data privacy laws for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The compendium is accurate as of Octobe...
Recommendations for the Ed Tech Industry to Protect the Privacy of Student Data
The California Attorney General’s Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit created this guidance to promote the development of privacy best practices. The intent of the recommendations is to encourage ed tech to focus on educational purposes, by limiting the collection and use of the student informat...
DQC Student Data Privacy Legislation Summary (September 2016)
Data Quality Campaign created this summary of state legislation addressing student data privacy, noting that "student data privacy was a priority issue in state legislatures in 2016, though as expected, states passed fewer student data privacy bills into law than they did in 2014 and 2015."
Click t...
Disclosing Student Information During School Emergencies: A Primer for Schools
This guide, published by the Future of Privacy Forum, provides the top practices for disclosing student information during school emergencies, as well as listing frequently asked questions and answers on the subject.
Click to View (PDF)...