NCS Student Privacy

Introduction

Northshore Charter School is committed to protecting the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student data, while also ensuring that this information is used effectively to support and improve student outcomes. This commitment extends beyond compliance with state and federal privacy laws; it involves the implementation of best practices that treat sensitive student information with the utmost care and responsibility. As data privacy and technology continue to evolve, one of the Board’s greatest challenges is keeping pace with these changes to ensure continued protection and appropriate use of student data.

State Law

The Louisiana legislature has enacted several laws aimed at strengthening student data privacy protections. Notably, R.S. 17:3914 (Act 837 of 2014) establishes clear limitations and prohibitions on the collection and sharing of student information. In addition, R.S. 17:3913 (Act 677 of 2014) requires the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and local education agencies (LEAs) to provide transparency regarding the transfer of students’ personally identifiable information (PII).

To address implementation challenges identified by LEAs, the legislature later amended these laws through Act 228 of 2015. These amendments refined the requirements to ensure more practical and effective enforcement. As a result, the LDOE was required to revise its processes involving the exchange of PII with LEAs, and LEAs were mandated to implement additional safeguards to protect student data.

To support understanding and compliance, the LDOE has published a Student Privacy Guidebook, which provides detailed guidance on these laws and their practical application.

Federal Law

Before the enactment of R.S. 17:3914 and R.S. 17:3913, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was the primary federal law governing student privacy. However, when state legislation is more restrictive than federal law, state law takes precedence. In most cases, R.S. 17:3914 is more restrictive than FERPA, and therefore, both the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and local education agencies (LEAs) must comply with state law.

NCS Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

In the interest of improving student performance, improving learning, and creating new educational opportunities for students, some of your students' Personally Identifiable Information

Information (PU) may be shared with the following types of vendors/systems:

1. Systems involved in determining postsecondary financial aid (LOSFA, Board of Regents, etc.)

2. Sporting associations (Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA), etc.)

3. Various clubs and organizations that your child may join (Jr. BETA, 4-H, etc.)

4. Local news media (athletics, honor/banner roll, events and awards, etc.) school and district webpages.

5. Event program (football and other sporting events, music and theatrical productions and award ceremonies, etc.)

6. Online educational resources and tools. (EAGLE, Moby Max, Study Island, etc.)

7. School photography providers (Bert Burr Photography, LifeTouch, etc.) and yearbook publishers.

8. Other systems, including but not limited to statewide assessments (EOC, LEAP, etc.), DIBLES and other monitoring tools.

9. Louisiana Department of Education and state auditors for data reporting and auditing purposes. Northshore Charter School will follow all local state and federal data security rules and only share the data th.at is required for the purposes stated.

The following PII may be shared:

1. Full name

2. Date of birth

3. Student ID#

4. Grade level

5. Teacher / class information

6. Other information as required

If you do not want Northshore Charter School to disclose any or all of the types of PII information listed above without your prior written consent, you must visit the school office and submit a written request to that effect.

Student Directory Information

Notice Regarding Directory Information

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Northshore Charter School may disclose certain information from a student’s education records that is considered directory information without prior written consent, unless the parent or eligible student notifies the school in writing.

If you do not want Northshore Charter School to disclose any or all of the types of information listed below as directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must visit the school office and submit a written request to that effect.

Northshore Charter School has designated the following information as directory information:

Student's name
Address
Telephone listing
Electronic mail address
Date and place of birth
Dates of attendance
Grade level
Photograph/video
The most recent educational agency or institution attended
Student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used to communicate in electronic systems — but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user’s identity, such as a PIN, password, or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user.
A student ID number or other unique personal identifier displayed on a student ID badge — but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user’s identity, such as a PIN, password, or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user.

Data Sharing Agreements

Below is a list of all vendors with whom we currently have data sharing agreements. These agreements are in place to protect student data and to ensure compliance with all applicable privacy and data security laws.

All data sharing agreements are available for viewing at the Northshore Charter School Technology Office. If you have questions or concerns, would like to file a complaint, or wish to make an appointment to view a specific data sharing agreement, please call our office at 985-732-0005.

A copy of the Northshore Charter School Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Contract Addendum Template can be downloaded here.

District-Wide Agreements

The Northshore Charter School has signed data sharing agreements and/or addendums with the following vendors:

Clever
Lightspeed
SchoolDay (GG4L)
Methods
Simple Solutions
7 Mindsets
Kiddom
Wyaground (Quizizz)
Generation Genius
Zaner-Bloser
IXL
Great Minds

State-Wide Agreements