MPS takes data privacy very seriously and has policies in place that are more strict than Minnesota state law. Certified Community Partners must comply with all District policies, and state/federal laws regarding student data privacy including the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statute Chapter 13 and The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
What is data? MPS defines data as any information provided by the school/district (individual or aggregate student data) as well as any information that outside organizations collect directly from students/families. This includes observations, surveys, focus groups, or individual interviews. MPS does not allow Community Partners to conduct surveys or collect demographic information directly from students during the school day unless the survey has been approved through the External Research & Evaluation process (fees apply).
Read more about individual and aggregate student data here.
MPS provides Community Partners with a few standard methods to access student data at no cost. They are:
Any additional data (including data needed for grant reports, etc) must be requested via External Data Request Form. MPS cannot share any individual student data without a signed Release of Information for each student. There is a fee of $250/hour for data requested through this process unless there is prior written agreement with REAA. You will receive a cost estimate before data work begins.
Questions about data? please contact partnership.evaluation@mpls.k12.mn.us