Proposed law would prevent companies from selling online student records

An interesting read that is perhaps indicative of the fact that privacy law is a constant work-in-progress to meet the demands of newer technologies. And it's a reminder that privacy law has applications in many areas, including one that I had not given too much thought- education.

A California senator recently proposed state legislation that attempts to fill a federal legislative gap in the United States. As it stands, online companies that contract with public school districts to provide web-based educational training modules and games are able to compile data about student performance, then sell it without notifying schools or parents. Schools are supposed to monitor what those companies do with student records but the argument among bill proponents is that practically speaking, schools may not be able to police those companies well-enough and safeguard student information.

The proposed bill would put the onus on the online web-based education companies to monitor themselves and prohibit them from selling the student records. Wonder if Canadian schools have similar contracts and what they do, if anything, to ensure the protection of online student records.

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-school-software-privacy-20140305,0,685322.story#axzz2v701cSVH