Welcome, New Canaan Parents! As our schools evolve, it is becoming more and more important for parents to stay informed and connected. The “New Canaan Parent Voice” is the place to do just that. Feel free to comment–this is a place for parents to freely discuss school issues. And let’s keep it constructive! This first post is about our children’s “data” being collected during school instruction time.
If this is a new topic for you, a good primer is from last Sunday’s Stamford Advocate; it was a feature editorial about the data collection taking place in schools which will make its way into State and Federal databases (found here) You’ll notice the mention of Naviance, which is what we use here in New Canaan. Yet that is just one of many web-based applications and portals our sons and daughters are using. Some others are:
Digication
Google Apps
EasyBib
Moodle
Turnitin
Power School
Think Through Math
BrainPop
Discovery Education
iXL
Parents could be raising many questions, but as we all know, we are so busy and find it difficult to take the time to focus on this, let alone really think it through. But as careful as we are about what our kids do on Facebook or Instagram, how much do we know about their digital footprint being created at school? Several of the Privacy Policies of these sites clearly state that they “collect and use” the data. Did you know that these policies clearly state that participation by children under the age of 13 legally requires “verifiable” parental consent?
Other questions to consider: Who “owns” the information our children enter? Where can we locate our children’s log-ins and passwords for each website and portal? How can we view the personal information they give as a result of surveys and other personal questions answered in Naviance? What information is shared with the state, and of that, what is personally identifiable? What can the state share with third parties? Does it become part of our child’s “permanent record?” How long do the schools keep this data? Do we get a copy when our child graduates? By the time a middle-schooler graduates, exactly what kind of profile will they have? What will that look like?
Clearly, a mechanism is needed for parents to understand our children’s online presence at school, especially where personally identifiable information is concerned. To take the advice from the Advocate’s editorial, “Connecticut parents should start demanding answers from district and state officials. We have a right to know everyone with access to our children’s personal information, what data they have, why they have it, and what rules prevent them from disclosing and misusing it.“
If there seems to be a large-scale desire for change in current school policy, then parents can mobilize and petition/email the school with a collective voice. Yes, the end of the school year is upon us, but it gives us time to reflect upon the many changes occurring in our schools. There’s power in numbers! So hop in and join the discussion. Feel free to use your name, but even if you choose not to, please keep it constructive! Again, we look forward to your comments, and your suggestions for possible posts are always welcome.
