At an education technology conference in Texas last week, a new announcement excited the entrepreneurs working at education tech startups and alarmed some parents. At issue is a huge database of students that includes files of millions of children who are identified by name, address and, in some cases, social security number. Among other items noted as values in the database are learning disabilities, test scores, attendance records, hobbies, career goals, overall attitudes about going to school, completion of homework assignments, and much more.
It’s the type of information that companies will pay big money to get - the database is worth $100 million and is intended to chart the academic paths of public school children from kindergarten through high school. For those who understand that the American education system is badly broken, it promises a potential way out. For others, it’s an opportunity to turn a profit. "We look at personalized learning as the next big leap forward in education," said Brandon Williams, a director at the Illinois State Board of Education.
For parents, however, it’s a bit frightening. "Once this information gets out there, it's going to be abused. There's no doubt in my mind," said Jason France, a father of two students in Louisiana. Parents have already written to state officials to protest in both New York and Louisiana. It is probably just a matter of time before more letters are sent. "What are the remedies for parents?" asked Norman Siegel, a civil liberties attorney in New York who has been consulting with those against the database. "It's very troubling," he added.
It’s the type of information that companies will pay big money to get - the database is worth $100 million and is intended to chart the academic paths of public school children from kindergarten through high school. For those who understand that the American education system is badly broken, it promises a potential way out. For others, it’s an opportunity to turn a profit. "We look at personalized learning as the next big leap forward in education," said Brandon Williams, a director at the Illinois State Board of Education.
For parents, however, it’s a bit frightening. "Once this information gets out there, it's going to be abused. There's no doubt in my mind," said Jason France, a father of two students in Louisiana. Parents have already written to state officials to protest in both New York and Louisiana. It is probably just a matter of time before more letters are sent. "What are the remedies for parents?" asked Norman Siegel, a civil liberties attorney in New York who has been consulting with those against the database. "It's very troubling," he added.