Training Module: Privacy and Equity in the New School Year

Practitioner training plays a vital role in ensuring that schools, local and state education agencies, and other education organizations use data and technology responsibly. CDT provides a suite of training modules that cover key principles of student privacy protection, cybersecurity, digital equity, and related issues. Here’s our full catalog of training modules.

Schools are responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this fall by adapting their teaching structures to the needs of their student populations and the changing health environment. These learning plans can take the form of in-person teaching, remote instruction, or some form of hybrid learning. Each model relies on increased use of education technology and collection of student health data, both of which introduce new student privacy risks and equity implications that practitioners must consider. These risks take different forms based on the model of instruction implemented, requiring that schools tailor their response to their specific situation.

CDT’s new training materials discuss key privacy protection practices and equity considerations for in-person, remote, and hybrid learning environments, as well as considerations for switching from one model to another. Topics covered include data governance structures, community engagement, legal requirements around health data sharing, and processes for implementing new technologies. 

The materials are available in an interactive online training module*, which features downloadable slides, narrated audio recordings, review quizzes to test comprehension, and additional resources. The training is also available as a standalone video, slide deck, and review worksheet.

Practitioner training is an essential part of strong student privacy protection, now more than ever. In light of today’s turbulent educational context, an understanding of these privacy protection principles will ensure that education technology is used effectively and responsibly during the coronavirus pandemic.

*Note: The interactive training module is hosted by Thinkific, and is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Users of Internet Explorer or other browsers can access the same material through our video and slides content, included below.