Rep. Miller Introduces Legislation To Guard Privacy Rights Of Students and Families
Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., introduced a measure last week that he says would protect the privacy of students and their families against growing commercialism in schools.
The proposed Student Privacy Protection Act would require schools to obtain parental consent before students could participate in any type of market research. It would also call for a study on commercialism in schools.
“Increasing numbers of companies are targeting schools as the best place to learn the purchasing preferences of young people,” Mr. Miller said in announcing his bill, HR 2915.
For instance, students have been asked to fill out surveys and participate in market research, such as taste-testing cereals, during classtime, according to Mr. Miller’s staff.
Mr. Miller hopes his legislation will become part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which is undergoing reauthorization this year.
--Joetta L. Sack
HUD Awards Partnership Grants to Colleges
The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced the awarding of $7.3 million in grants to 22 colleges and universities for partnerships with disadvantaged schools near their campuses and other community entities.
The Community Outreach Partnership Centers grants, each worth $400,000 over three years, were given to higher education institutions in California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.
The institutions will do everything from providing students in nearby schools with tutoring and health-care screening to offering their schools cutting-edge science curricula and computer labs, said Armand Carriere, a grants specialist with HUD.
Other partnership projects include work with neighborhood associations, city governments, and community-development organizations.
--Julie Blair
