Sadly, we’ve learned that Rep Lucero’s,  Parental Curriculum Review amendment was refused to be heard by Rep Sondra Erickson in the House Education Committee today.   We, the parents of Minnesota,  know how important that amendment would have been to help clarify curricular materials in the 21st century.   Because we want to continue to work with Rep Erickson, we respectfully submit that members refrain from personal attacks and the like.  We have two other bills that must go through Erickson’s education committee.

Rep Lucero stated that there may be chance to bring HF 1777 forth as an amendment on the floor.   We are hopeful!  We encourage you to continue making calls to Rep Erickson’s office making the case that we, the people of Minnesota are asking for her help and asking her to help support parental rights.  Please ask to speak to Rep Erickson directly.

We have a CALL FOR TESTIMONY on Tuesday night, March 17th at 6:00pm.    We must know by Monday at noon.  This will be for the Data Bill, HF 1779.  It has, like the Parental Curriculum Bill, outstanding bipartisan support.  Please let Linda Bell know if you can speak.  We need to have other speakers besides those who already spoke this week.  We may need additional testifiers for another bill next week yet to be announced.  Thanks!

We continue to care about our children, that will never stop!  We will not give up!!!  Thank you so much for your support and the phone calls you made today!  MACC cannot work at the Capitol, present speeches around the state and work with individuals and districts and school boards without YOU!  We love you all! Despite this set back, let’s continue to work together to make a positive difference for our children and the next generation!

 

MACC has been working with legislators to  support parental rights and authorities and protect children and families from the release of personally identifiable information in data collection.  This is a synopsis of the bills and soon we will publish call and email information.  It is still vitally important that you email and call Rep Sondra Erickson, Chair of the House Education Policy Committee TODAY on HF 1777 and allowing the bill to be heard in her committee.

 

1. HF 1777 Parental Curriculum Review is an existing statute that has been updated for the 21^st century to include “online learning”.  The statute states that parents have the right to view all instructional materials – power points, textbooks, website instructional materials – basically all curricular materials.  We are updating to include and clarify online curriculum.  We should see the senate companion to the HF 1777 introduced on the senate floor next week.  This bill is nicely bipartisan to start and we want to expand support across parties.  Thank you to Rep Eric Lucero and all bill sponsors!

HF 1777 Author:  Eric Lucero (R)

HF 1777 Sponsors:  Sondra Erickson (R); Glenn Gruenhagen (R); Jim Davnie (DFL); Jerry Newton (DFL)

SF ????  Will report on the introduction of this bill in the Senate next week.

 

Read the bill information for HF 1777 here!

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF1777&b=house&y=2015&ssn=0

 

 

2. HF 99 / SF 979 Notice Requirements for Student Surveys is a new bill that covers parental notification when schools administer classroom surveys.  From parents across Minnesota, we are hearing and seeing surveys administered weekly (and lots of them).  The survey results are sent off to 3^rd parties who can sell that information under the gutted FERPA law.  These actions are all unaccountable to parents.  We cannot get that data back once it is sent off.  The concern is that parents are not being given notice on the surveys.  This bill uses “prior written informed consent” which changes the volumes of surveys to an opt-in as opposed to an opt-out.  Parents can opt-out of surveys now, if they but know the date of the survey and topic.  This bill is related to parental rights and authorities and data collection.  It has some bipartisan support in the House that we would like to see expand to all parties.  The Senate is partisan only.  We want to see both House and Senate having good strong bipartisan support.  Thank you to Rep Peggy Scott and Sen Mary Kiffmeyer and all bill sponsors!

 

HF 99 Author:  Peggy Scott (R); Chairman, Data Practices & Civil Law

HF 99 Sponsors:  John Lesch (DFL); Cindy Pugh (R); Brian Johnson (R); Jim Newberger (R); Eric Lucero (R); Anna Wills (R)

SF 979 (companion) Author:   Mary Kiffmeyer (R)

SF 979 Sponsors:  Branden Petersen (R); Michelle Benson (R)

 

Read the bill information here for HF 99!

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF99&b=house&y=2015&ssn=0

 

Read the bill information here for SF 979!

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=SF979&b=senate&y=2015&ssn=0

 

 

3. HF 1779  Student data access addressed, disclosure requirements affecting personally identifiable information about a student clarified, and personally identifiable information in electronic student education records managed.

This bill addresses a student’s personally identifiable information and how a student’s educational record is managed and extends to public, private and homeschool students. 

Two amendments are added to clarify parental authority over the disclosure of personally identifiable information with parent or student authorization.   As one senator recently stated, “Who owns the data? – the students/parents or “the state”?  Who owns the data speaks to who is in charge.”

 

(b) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, except law governing law enforcement 
activities, and in addition to section 13.04, subdivision 2, at the time a governmental entity 
collects personally identifiable information as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, 
title 34, section 99.3, about a student, the agency or institution must obtain consent 
from the eligible student, parent, or guardian before the state agency or state institution 
discloses personally identifiable information about the student to any third party or to any 
governmental entity over which the state of Minnesota, a school district, or a school 
has no direct control.

 

Notwithstanding other provisions in this section or other law to the contrary, except 
law governing law enforcement activities, in order to prevent any unauthorized access, 
disclosure, or misuse of student data, a school district, a school, and the commissioners 
of education, higher education, and employment and economic development must not 
allow personally identifiable information as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 
34, section 99.3, about any P-20 student reported to or available through SLEDS to be 
disclosed to a third party or to any governmental entity over which the state of Minnesota, 
a school district, or school has no direct control. A school district or school must annually 
obtain the consent of eligible students and parents or guardians before disclosing directory 
information about the student who is the subject of the information.

 

This bill has good bipartisan support!  We want to get the word out not only to the education committee but also to the Data Practices and Civil Law committee where this bill starts its journey.  Thank you to author, Rep. Eric Lucero and all bill sponsors!!!

 

HF 1779 Author: Rep Eric Lucero (R)

HF 1779 Sponsors:  Glenn Gruenhagen (R); Sondra Erickson (R); Jim Davnie (DFL); Jason Isaacson (DFL); Dennis Smith (R); Jerry Newton (DFL)

 

 

Read the bill information here for HF 1779!

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF1779&b=house&y=2015&ssn=0

 

We are encouraged and excited!  More information to follow in who to contact as well as contact information.