The Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) released the National Research Data Privacy Agreement (NRDPA) to streamline data sharing agreements and set common expectations between schools/districts and researchers. Modelled after the successful National Data Privacy Agreement (NDPA), the NRDPA is a collaboratively built and standardized agreement for schools and research organizations to use for FERPA’s research studies exception.
The NRDPA describes the duties and responsibilities to protect existing Student Data including compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws, rules, and regulations. Under the studies exception, the Researcher shall be conducting research for, or on behalf of educational agencies or institutions to:
Develop, validate, or administer predictive tests;
Administer student aid programs; or
Improve instruction. The NRDPA fulfils the requirements of a “written agreement” under FERPA’s Studies exception.
A companion “Guidance Draft” serves as a resource on draft usage as well as effective practices of using student data for research. The Guidance Draft also links to great resources from end users and marketplace providers for data stewards and researchers across the country.
To find out more and get your needs addressed, please join in the conversations by being part of the Consortium.