A New Jersey school district is facing serious scrutiny after a student survey, which asked about religion and income, was sent out without parental consent.
Unsurprisingly, this has sparked a federal investigation and raised alarms about how schools handle student privacy.
In this article, we’ll break down what happened in the Cedar Grove School District, the legal fallout, and what this means for parents and schools when it comes to protecting students’ privacy rights.
- Cedar Grove School District broke federal law by asking students about their religion and income in a survey without first getting permission from their parents.
- The state of New Jersey and the U.S. Department of Education found that the school district failed to follow the rules, leading to legal consequences.
- The parents who complained about the survey were proven right, which shows how important it is to protect student privacy.
N.J. School District Broke Privacy Rules
In 2021, Cedar Grove School District in New Jersey faced severe criticism after sending out an “equity and diversity” survey to students—a study aimed at understanding issues related to fairness and diversity in the district.
However, it quickly sparked controversy because it included questions about students’ religious beliefs and household income—topics protected by federal law.
Federal Law Violation Discovered
The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office investigated the school district after parents complained. Parents claimed that the school did not properly inform them about the survey and did not give them a chance to opt their children out of it.
Of course, this clearly violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA).
The PPRA requires schools to obtain written permission from parents before asking students about sensitive topics such as religion, income, gender identity, and race.
The survey was given to students in June 2021, including questions on these protected topics without parental consent.
Because of this, the Student Privacy Policy Office found that Cedar Grove had broken the PPRA.
On July 26, 2023, Frank Miller Jr., the Deputy Director, informed the district that they needed to follow the law and ordered them to make changes.
State and Federal Responses to Religion in School Survey Controversy
While the federal investigation focused on the PPRA violation, New Jersey’s Education Department had already taken action in November 2021.
The state found that the district broke state laws by not clearly stating that the survey was voluntary and not giving parents a way to opt-out.
An Administrative Law Judge and a top official in the New Jersey Education Department agreed with this finding, so it was clear that the district didn’t follow state rules.
Despite these findings, the Biden administration and the New Jersey Education Department have yet to comment on what this means for other school districts in the state.
This is especially significant given the ongoing debates about diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools, which have become a hot topic in recent years.
P.S. Did you see Jersey City’s new move in education? They’re investing $11 million into their preschool programs. Learn more about what this means for local kids and families here.
Parents’ Rights and Legal Consequences
The Cedar Grove survey controversy has spotlighted the importance of parental rights in education, especially in protecting student privacy rights.
America First Legal, a group that opposes many liberal policies, called the federal decision a “win” for parents’ rights. And the parents who initially raised concerns felt a sense of relief and gratitude when their issues were quickly addressed.
Patricia Grande, the primary parent who filed the complaint, said that the federal government’s findings confirmed their concerns. She was also thankful that the state responded quickly and ruled in their favor in 2021.
What’s Next for Cedar Grove?
The Cedar Grove School District is now working to fix the issues raised by the investigations.
The district’s new superintendent, Peter Turnamian, who started in April 2023, has promised to create a more supportive environment for students, families, and staff.
Although he didn’t give many details about the federal ruling, Turnamian emphasized the district’s renewed effort to build inclusive and respectful schools.
The district is updating its policies to comply with the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment. To this end, they will send parents an annual notice to keep them informed about their rights under the PPRA.
Plus, they’re making sure all staff members are up to speed on the privacy laws that apply to student surveys.
And before you leave, why not check out our guide to the 7 best colleges in New Jersey?
