Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in Education Today

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in education refers to any data—direct or indirect—that can identify a student or employee. This includes traditional records such as names, addresses, birthdates, and Social Security numbers, but it also includes a wide array of newer digital data: learning analytics, device logs, behavioral patterns, biometrics, medical notes, IEP details, and even browsing history from school-issued devices. Together, these data points form a highly detailed profile of a child’s identity and daily life.

Protecting that identity has become one of the most urgent responsibilities in K–12 education. Schools now collect and store more sensitive information than ever before, yet the systems, vendors, and tools used to manage that data have expanded dramatically—and not always with adequate safeguards. Every login, every digital assignment, every AI-powered app, and every cloud-based service creates new data trails that must be secured.

What many families do not realize is that their child’s personal information often travels beyond the district’s servers and into complex vendor ecosystems. As cyberattacks on school districts accelerate, transparency and stronger protections are no longer optional—they’re essential.

Why Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Has Become a Prime Target

Hackers increasingly target school districts because they combine rich data with limited cybersecurity resources. Schools hold valuable information but rarely have the staffing, funding, or monitoring capabilities of hospitals, financial institutions, or large corporations.

1. Schools Store Enormous Amounts of Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information

Districts manage data sets that touch nearly every part of a student’s life:

• Legal names and demographic details

• Addresses and family contact information

• Birth certificates and Social Security numbers

• Academic history and discipline records

• Disability documentation and IEP plans

• Medical alerts and health information

• Photos, videos, and audio recordings

• Employee payroll and HR data

• Device logs, browsing history, and keystroke data

• Biometric identifiers (fingerprints, facial recognition, etc.)

This breadth of information is extremely profitable for cybercriminals. Student identities, in particular, can be used for years before fraud is detected.

2. EdTech Vendors Multiply Privacy Risks

A typical school district may rely on hundreds of digital tools—learning management systems, reading apps, math platforms, AI tutors, browser extensions, communication systems, testing portals, and classroom add-ons. Every new tool introduces:

• a new database

• a new third-party vendor

• a new privacy policy

• a new set of risks

Many “free” apps monetize through aggressive data collection, and not all vendors clearly disclose what they gather, how long they store it, or whether they use subcontractors. Parents almost never see the full map of where their child’s information goes.

3. District Cybersecurity Resources Are Often Limited

Most K–12 IT teams face:

• understaffing

• aging infrastructure

• limited budgets

• constant device maintenance

• insufficient cybersecurity training

Human error—especially phishing—is still the most common cause of breaches.

A Real Example: The 2025 PowerSchool Data Breach 

In 2025, a major breach involving the PowerSchool platform exposed student and staff data across multiple school systems. Although the scope varied by district, many families learned for the first time that their children’s academic records, demographic details, and unique identifiers were stored in external cloud systems rather than solely in district databases.

The incident disrupted communication systems, interrupted access to instructional platforms, and raised serious questions about vendor security. More importantly, it forced districts and parents to confront a difficult truth: outsourced data is still district responsibility, and vendor trust must be earned, not assumed.

The breach marked a turning point, prompting schools to reexamine vendor vetting procedures, strengthen Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs), and modernize cybersecurity infrastructure.

“A child’s identity should never be collateral damage in the digital age.”

Indirect Identification: A Growing Hidden Risk

Parents often assume that if a name isn’t attached, the data is harmless. Unfortunately, modern analytics can re-identify individuals using indirect data points such as:

• birthdate + home zip code

• device usage patterns

• classroom schedules

• location metadata from apps

• search queries

• assignment timestamps

• participation in specific programs

These data trails can reveal a child’s identity, habits, vulnerabilities, and daily routines—even without direct identifiers. This is why schools must protect not only traditional records but also behavioral and digital usage data.

AI Tools and the New Generation of Personally Identifiable Information

The rise of artificial intelligence in education has expanded what counts as student data. AI tutoring platforms, writing tools, adaptive reading systems, and behavior-tracking dashboards generate and store:

• student responses

• reading patterns

• writing tendencies

• error analysis

• predicted performance

• voice recordings

• engagement analytics

Some AI tools retain data indefinitely unless districts negotiate deletion timelines. Others may use student inputs to improve their algorithms unless privacy agreements prevent it.

As AI becomes essential to instruction, districts must understand:

• what data AI models collect

• where models store it

• whether student data trains the AI

• how long AI tools retain information

• whether vendors use subcontractors

AI brings innovation—but it must bring transparency, too.

Legal Protections: FERPA, COPPA, and CIPA

While federal laws provide guardrails, they do not fully reflect the complexities of modern EdTech ecosystems.

FERPA

Protects education records and grants families the right to review, amend, and limit disclosures. But FERPA was written decades before cloud computing and AI, leaving gray areas around analytics, algorithms, and third-party subcontractors.

COPPA

Governs data collection from children under 13. Schools can consent for instructional purposes, but many families never realize this is happening.

CIPA

Addresses filtering and internet safety. It does not govern data collection practices by vendors.

Districts must therefore build privacy systems that go beyond compliance.

Best Practices for Protecting Personally Identifiable Information in Schools

Leading districts are strengthening their approach through a combination of technology, training, and communication.

1. Minimize Data Collection

Only collect what is truly necessary. Less data means less exposure.

2. Deploy Modern Cybersecurity Tools

Key protections include:

• multi-factor authentication

• encryption at rest and in transit

• endpoint monitoring

• network segmentation

• regular patching

• offline backups

• zero-trust access models

Cybersecurity is now student safety.

3. Train Staff and Students

Most breaches begin with human error. Districts should implement:

• phishing simulations

• clear data handling expectations

• FERPA and COPPA training

• digital citizenship for students

Culture matters as much as infrastructure.

4. Vet and Monitor Vendors

Districts need strong Data Privacy Agreements with:

• deletion timelines

• encryption standards

• breach notification requirements

• subcontractor disclosures

• restrictions on data sharing or training AI models

5. Be Transparent with Families

Parents deserve clarity about:

• what data is collected

• where it goes

• who stores it

• how long it’s kept

• whether vendors use data for analytics

• what rights families have

Trust grows from transparency.

Why This Matters for Parents

Long-term consequences of a breach can include:

• damaged credit

• blocked college financial aid

• fraudulent medical or insurance records

• long-term identity theft

• emotional distress

Parents can and should advocate for:

• vendor transparency

• cybersecurity funding

• districtwide privacy policies

• opt-out options

• responsible AI adoption

When families are informed, districts prioritize privacy.

Conclusion: Privacy Is Now a Core Part of Student Safety

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is more than a record—it’s a child’s identity. As schools adopt more digital tools and AI systems, protecting that identity becomes both a moral responsibility and a safety imperative. By strengthening cybersecurity, improving vendor accountability, training staff and students, and communicating openly with families, districts can meet the moment.

Protecting PII is not just compliance. It is a promise—to students, parents, and educators—that the technology supporting learning will always be secure, ethical, and worthy of trust.

Subscribe to edCircuit to stay up to date on all of our shows, podcasts, news, and thought leadership articles.