PARENTS’ BILL OF RIGHTS FOR DATA PRIVACY AND SECURITY

Summary of Rights and Information for Parents and Students

The legislature and governor passed a group of bills that adjusted the Regents Education Reform
Agenda. These bills are known collectively as the “Common Core Implementation Reform Act.” One of
the key components of this act (Chapter 56, Part AA, Subpart L, of the laws of 2014) directed the
Commissioner of Education to appoint a Chief Privacy Officer (CPO). A major function of this new
position is to work with school districts and parents to develop elements for a parents’ bill of rights to
help ensure that student data is private and secure. The New York State Education Department
(NYSED) and the CPO must also recommend regulations to establish standards for data security and
privacy policies that will be implemented statewide.

The NYSED Parents Bill of Rights can be found below. The Williamsville Central School District is
issuing this summary of parents’ rights under the law 2d. While some additional elements will be
developed in conjunction with the CPO, districts, parents and the Board of Regents, this summary sets
forth the key rights and information that parents should be aware of in regards to ensuring the privacy
and security of their student’s educational data. Parents should be aware that:

1. A student’s personally identifiable information cannot be sold or released for any
commercial purposes;

2. Parents have the right to inspect and review the complete contents of their child’s education record;

3. State and federal laws protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information, and
safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices, including but not limited to,
encryption, firewalls, and password protection, must be in place when data is stored or
transferred;

4. A complete list of all student data elements collected by the State is available for public review
online or by writing to the Office of Information & Reporting Services, New York State Education
Department, Room 863 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue, New York 12234; and

5. Parents have the right to have complaints about possible breaches of student data
addressed. Complaints should be directed as follows, using this form:

Mr. Chris Siniscalchi, Director of Information Technology/ Data Protection Officer
          105 Casey Road, PO Box 1500
          East Amherst, New York 14051

Chief Privacy Officer
          New York State Education Department
          89 Washington Avenue
          Albany, New York 12234
          CPO@mail.nysed.gov

If the Williamsville Central School District enters into a third party contract in which the service
provider receives student data or teacher or principal data in order to provide a needed service for the
District, supplemental information shall be developed and provided to parents that states:

6. The exclusive purposes for which the student data or teacher or principal data will be used;

7. How the third-party contractor will ensure that the subcontractors, persons or entities that the third
party contractor will share the student data or teacher or principal data with, if any, will abide by data
protection and security requirements;

8. When the agreement expires and what happens to the student data or teacher or principal data
upon expiration of the agreement;

9. If and how a parent, student, eligible student, teacher or principal may challenge the accuracy of the
student data or teacher or principal data that is collected; and

10. Where the student data or teacher or principal data will be stored and the security protections
taken to ensure such data will be protected, including whether such data will be encrypted.

As indicated above, once the CPO is appointed by the Commissioner he or she must secure input
from parents and other education and expert stakeholders to develop additional elements for the
Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security. The Commissioner of Education will also be
promulgating regulations with a comment period for parents and other members of the public to submit
comments and suggestions to the CPO.

In the meantime, you can access additional information and a question and answer document issued
by SED as a preliminary Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security.

If you have any further questions or concerns at this time, please contact Mr. Chris Siniscalchi,
Director of Information Technology/ Data Protection Officer,
105 Casey Road, PO Box 1500
East Amherst, New York 14051

Related Files

          • Parent's Bill of Rights re. Data Privacy & Security
          • District-issued Mobile Devices
          • Supplemental Information