Changes in Education Law 2016

 

The following are details of two new education laws that were passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Brown in 2016. Bills signed by the Governor take effect on January 1, 2017.

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Expanded student data privacy for pre-kindergarten students.

The existing law restricts the use of information about students on Internet web sites and online services, except for school purposes. Building upon the requirements of Student Online Privacy Protection Act (SOPIPA) that were enacted in 2014, the Legislature and Governor passed AB 2799, which expands those protections to preschool and pre-kindergarten students. SOPIPA mandates privacy and data security requirements on websites, online services, and mobile applications that are designed, marketed and used primarily for students.

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This law requires that the employee handbook has an update to ensure that all policies and procedures are being followed for online data and information. The registrar will have access to all records, while teachers and staff will have limited access. In addition, staff will be informed to only using vague or certain types of information in regards to online services. 

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ACR 120 - Stone (D): Data Trusts: At-Risk Children

This resolution recognizes that the Legislature supports the development of safe and secure data sharing between public education, social service, and research entities through the Silicon Valley Regional Data Trust as it pertains specifically to at-risk, foster, homeless, and justice-involved children and youth and their families, in order to better serve, protect, and improve the futures of these residents. Chapter 97, Statutes of 2016

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Data sharing will be completed only through the designated student information systems, which are in place to help protect, yet serve underprivledged youth who are being served by the school and programs. 

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