In the three weeks since “Tracking: EDU” officially launched, a growing number of news outlets, associations, and organizations have highlighted the findings and significance of the work. Yet, what matters most is that SEAs, LEAs, and schools take what steps they may need in order to improve their website security and privacy practices.
And, no matter your role or interest in school technology issues, we all have a stake in that outcome.
According to a new study released today by EdTech Strategies, “Tracking: EDU,” state and local education agency websites were found to lack important security and privacy protections for students, families, and educators.
State and local education agency websites routinely deploy third-party ad tracking technology. What purpose does it serve? Is it benign (and merely the cost of being on the web in 2017), or does it raise issues worthy of deeper investigation?
Loyal readers may notice that the weekly round-up of news stories and commentary – A Thinking Person’s Guide to EdTech News – has been on a hiatus for a few weeks. I have been working on a new and eye-opening research project.
Companies are exploiting the education space for sales and public good will, and parents and educators should be questioning how those in the public sector are carrying the branding and marketing of private companies.
It is time to reboot the social contract for public education in a digital age. At the same time, we must remain clear-eyed and recognize the ways in which technology also introduces new issues and potential threats. What we need are terms of service that provide every student and their family assurances that their interests remain at the fore.
According to an alarming new study, school districts are routinely sharing individual student data about discipline with colleges as part of the admissions process, and colleges are in turn using that data to deny admissions to students. With no empirical evidence to support the practice, a lack of written policy, and demonstrable harm to students, this practice must cease.
