Student Data Privacy

Student Data Privacy
The Douglas County School District cares deeply about the privacy of our students. We are committed to ensuring that their data is protected in every instance, and that we are in compliance with the Colorado Student Data Transparency and Security Act (HB 16-1423) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

DCSD has always protected student data. The new Colorado Student Data Transparency and Security Act is helping to reinforce this protection by focusing on:

  • Reinforcing protocol for using software and working with vendors
  • Transparency for our community on what student data the CDE and DCSD collects and how its collected
  • Bringing greater awareness of elements to look for on click-through contracts for free online apps

View a CDE summary of the Colorado Student Data Transparency and Security Act

View FAQ's on Student Data Privacy from the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy

Privacy Laws

Colorado Student Data Privacy (HB-1423)

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

What about HIPAA?

How does that affect school health services? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is another federal law that dictates how health records are to be handled. A school is subject to HIPPAA only if it provides medical care and electronically transmits health information as part of a “covered transaction” (e.g. billing) For most schools, HIPAA will only be an issue when communicating with a student’s medical provider. While school health records are not regulated by HIPAA, almost all medical practitioners are covered by HIPAA. ”Treatment purposes” is one of the exceptions: a practitioner may relay or clarify treatment orders to individuals involved in the treatment of that patient, such as to the school nurse without obtaining authorization of the student or parent. Best practice, however, is that the parent/guardian signs a release of information allowing communication between provider and the school. Protection of personally identifiable health information contained in medical or treatment reports from an outside provider is the responsibility of the requester. Ideally the school nurse summarizes the educationally relevant information from the outside record source into the student’s cumulative health record and then destroys the outside record.

 

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.

In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).