New Effective Student Privacy Laws Report Published by Public Interest Privacy Center

PIPC publishes report with guidance on crafting and evaluating effective student privacy legislation.

The Public Interest Privacy Center (PIPC) is proud to announce the release of “The Pillars of Well-Designed Student Privacy Legislation,” a new report that provides state policymakers with comprehensive guidance on crafting and evaluating effective student privacy legislation. Since 2014, almost 150 state student privacy laws have passed across 47 states and Washington DC. Well-designed state privacy laws share common features that establish the necessary guardrails to protect student data while not hindering the use of emerging technologies or data uses and sharing in schools that create better outcomes for students. In this report, we highlight these foundational pillars for policymakers. 

The recent surge in state child and student privacy laws underscores a commitment to strengthening protections for children’s data. States have been actively enhancing their legislative frameworks by incorporating stricter accountability measures and updating language to keep pace with evolving technological and data usage standards. This progression has also been informed by valuable hindsight and lessons learned, helping to identify and mitigate unintended consequences.

Building on the insights gained over the past decade, PIPC's latest report outlines how well-designed student privacy bills have the following twelve foundational pillars:

• Are Designed to Address Specific, Defined Problems

• Have Clearly Stated Goals and Intent

• Are Crafted in Consultation with Stakeholders

• Have Definitions That Are Clear and Complete

• Identify Who Must Comply

• Designate Responsible Parties

• Provide Resources

• Have Clear Data Governance Requirements and Restrictions

• Facilitate Safe Use of Data

• Have Transparency Requirements

• Have Accountability Mechanisms

• Have Enforcement Mechanisms 

Through a blend of best practices and reflections on past success stories and missteps, this report offers a balanced approach to protecting student data privacy without compromising the benefits of technological advancements in education.

PIPC's report is designed to equip policymakers with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate for, carefully craft, and continuously improve state student privacy legislation. By drawing on lessons from other states and incorporating best practices, policymakers can develop robust and sustainable frameworks that effectively protect student data in today’s modern education environment.

Read the report on well-designed student privacy legislation:

Have questions or ideas about student privacy legislation or PIPC’s new report? Reach out to Amelia Vance at amelia@publicinterestprivacy.org.