If enacted, HB 1094 would significantly change how educational institutions can collect data from students. By establishing a requirement for prior written consent for surveys and evaluations that might elicit sensitive personal information, the bill aims to enhance the privacy protections for students. This could lead to a more cautious approach among educational bodies regarding data collection practices and the type of information they request from students and families.
Summary
House Bill 1094, known as the Parents Opt-in Protection Act, seeks to amend the General Education Provisions Act to strengthen the protection of students' personal information. The bill mandates that students cannot be required to participate in surveys, analyses, or evaluations that reveal personal information without prior written consent. This includes ensuring that such consent is obtained not just from the student, but from a parent in the case of unemancipated minors.
Contention
The bill has sparked debate among lawmakers and interest groups. Advocates of the bill argue that it is essential for safeguarding the rights of students and ensuring that parental authority is respected in educational settings. Critics, however, are concerned that the additional requirements for consent could hinder the collection of valuable data that could be used to improve educational programs and services. Moreover, there are concerns that the law could impede schools' abilities to conduct legitimate educational assessments or evaluations necessary for the children's development and well-being.
Parents Bill of Rights Act This bill establishes various rights of parents and guardians regarding the elementary or secondary school education of their children. Local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools must comply with the requirements of the bill in order to receive federal education funds. Specifically, the bill requires schools to notify parents and guardians of their rights regarding the education of their children. These rights include the right to review the curriculum of their child's school; know if the state alters its challenging academic standards; meet with each teacher of their child at least twice each school year; review the budget, including all revenues and expenditures, of their child's school; review a list of the books and other reading materials in the library of their child's school; address the school board of the LEA; receive information about violent activity in their child's school; and receive information about any plans to eliminate gifted and talented programs in the child's school. Additionally, the bill directs each LEA to post on a publicly accessible website (or otherwise widely disseminate to the public) the curriculum for each elementary and secondary school grade level. The LEA must also include in its annual report card the overall budget of the LEA and the budget for each elementary and secondary school. The bill also provides for additional family educational and privacy rights, including by prohibiting schools from selling student information for commercial or financial gain.