Oak Grove District Leads in Student Data Privacy, Wins Tech & Learning Award
The Oak Grove School District in California has emerged as a regional leader in student data privacy, thanks to a collaborative effort with the California Department of Education (CDE), California School Information Services (CSIS), and other stakeholders. The district's innovative approach has earned recognition from Tech & Learning.
The district's success stems from a holistic approach that involves everyone, from district leadership and teachers to the business department. Steve Harmon, a key figure, emphasizes the importance of working with teachers rather than against them. 'We want to protect student loans data privacy while still encouraging the use of educational technology,' he explains.
Bruce Neff, another driving force, stresses the significance of starting with the 'why'. He believes clearly communicating the importance of student loans data privacy practices helps everyone understand and support the cause. The team's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Najeeb Qasimi, Sergio Rizzi, Bruce Neff, and Steve Harmon received Tech & Learning's Innovative Leader award for Best Implementation of Student Loans Data Privacy.
Rizzi, an edtech specialist at the district, warns about the risks of free edtech tools. 'Even when tools are free, they often rely on user data to generate profit,' he says. To illustrate this, Rizzi uses a physical analogy: 'It's like leaving your front door unlocked; you might not see an immediate impact, but it's an invitation for trouble.' To mitigate this, the Oak Grove Union edtech team launched an 'Ask before you app' campaign, encouraging educators to check approved apps before use.
The Oak Grove School District's success in student loans data privacy serves as a model for other districts. The team encourages collaboration with state stakeholders and national organizations like the Student Loans Data Privacy Consortium to learn from others' experiences. By working together and understanding the 'why', districts can effectively protect student loans data privacy in the digital age.
