By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
At least one Republican is demanding answers after it was revealed that Pearson and the New Jersey Department of Education were monitoring students’ social media activity during the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exam, Save Jerseyans.
On Tuesday, Assemblyman Dave Rible (R-Monmouth and Ocean) sent a letter to Commissioner David Hespe asking for a full inquiry.
“As you are aware, the implementation of this assessment has become a controversial issue for many parents and teachers across the state and the news that a testing company is monitoring students’ social media accounts has only exacerbated their fears, and rightfully so,” Rible, a retired law enforcement officer turned veteran legislator, wrote to Hespe.
“I have expressed my concerns about the ongoing data collection of our students’ information by schools already and the potential that sensitive, personal information could be released,” he continued, referencing his sponsorship of A-2724, legislation that endeavors to protect students’ personal information from distribution to the federal government. “Therefore, you can understand my increasing concerns about data being collected on our students after learning about this recent development regarding PARCC.”
We’re right there with you…
You can read the Assemblyman’s full letter below the fold:
March 17, 2015
Hon. David Hespe, Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Education
100 River View Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625Dear Commissioner Hespe:
I am writing to express my concerns about the recent reports regarding the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers [PARCC], in which it was discovered Pearson has apparently been monitoring social media accounts of students during the administration of this new assessment.
As you are aware, the implementation of this assessment has become a controversial issue for many parents and teachers across the state and this news that a testing company is monitoring students’ social media accounts has only exacerbated their fears, and rightfully so.
As you know, I have expressed my concerns about the ongoing data collection of our students’ information by schools already and the potential that sensitive, personal information could be released. Therefore, you can understand my increasing concerns about data being collected on our students after learning about this recent development regarding PARCC.
As such, I urge you to investigate this apparent monitoring of our students’ social media accounts by Pearson to determine if this monitoring is occurring and whether the privacy of these students has been compromised.
Thank you again for your attention to this request and please feel free to contact me if I can ever be of any assistance in this or any other matter.
Sincerely,
David P. Rible
Assemblyman, 30th District
