Pearson Shown to Be Spying on Student on Social Media
Update: a student "oath" from Louisiana from last year's testing:
End of update
Update: Via news updates, this is what the student did:
Apparently, the student had just commented on the question after taking the test, and deleted his tweet after being contacted by the district.
So commenting on a test score via social media will get your child on Pearson's naughty list. What a bunch of bullies. (You should read the whole article but here's a bit of it.)
In addition, Pearson/PARCC has access to if a student is using testing modifications, along with their names, unique identifier numbers, etc. Beyond sensitive student information, Pearson also collects everything a student types into the keyboard during the test including words or sentences that were typed and then deleted. Pearson knows whether or not the student views a test item, how long it takes him/her to answer a specific question, and it tracks the student's clicks as he/she navigates the test. This seemingly harmless data, when paired with sensitive information about an individual student, creates a very complex learning and behavioral profile of the child.
end of update
Big Brotherism on the part of the Pearson educational company has led to charges that they are "spying" on the social media postings from students particularly in New Jersey. Those students are taking the PARCC test that Pearson produces.
From the Washington Post:
Pearson, the world’s largest education company, is monitoring social media during the administration of the new PARCC Common Core test to detect any security breaches, and a spokeswoman said that it was “obligated” to alert authorities when any problems were discovered.
To note, California DOE has done this for several years.
From NJ blogger, Bob Braun:
The state education department is cooperating with this "spying"and has asked at least one school district to discipline students who may have said something inappropriate about the tests.
Superintendent Elizabeth C. Jewett of the Watchung Hills district in Warren, New Jersey sent a message to her staff saying that her "testing coordinator had received a call from the NJDOE that Pearson had initiated a 'Priority 1 Alert' for an item breach within our school."
At issue was a tweet from a student about a test item but it was ascertained that the student didn't photograph the item and only tweeted AFTER the testing was over. The student was told/asked/forced to delect the tweet and their parent notified. Apparently the parent was very worried that Pearson was monitoring student tweets from students in New Jersey schools.
The superintendent went on to say:
The DOE informed us that Pearson is monitoring all social media during PARCC testing.
I have to say that I find that a bit disturbing - and if our parents were concerned before about a conspiracy with all of the student data, I am sure I will be receiving more letters of refusal once this gets out (not to mention the fact that the DOE wanted us to also issue discipline to the student).
Several questions:
- why would Pearson have names of students, not de-identified numbers? (see this - apparent they get the student ID and the name, not to mention a number of other data points)
- isn't commenting on a test - especially after you took the test - free speech?
- is it spying or is a company just protecting its product?
From Ed Week:
Given the confluence of worries in K-12 over testing, privacy, and the common-core, it seems likely that more parents will be asking questions about the monitoring of social media for assessment purposes in the time ahead—and that school officials will, in turn, be asked to explain those policies.
Want to talk to Pearson on Twitter? @pearson
Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/pearsonplc (unfortunately they don't take messages)
Their blog? http://blog.pearson.com/making-assessments-count/
End of update
Update: Via news updates, this is what the student did:
Apparently, the student had just commented on the question after taking the test, and deleted his tweet after being contacted by the district.
So commenting on a test score via social media will get your child on Pearson's naughty list. What a bunch of bullies. (You should read the whole article but here's a bit of it.)
In addition, Pearson/PARCC has access to if a student is using testing modifications, along with their names, unique identifier numbers, etc. Beyond sensitive student information, Pearson also collects everything a student types into the keyboard during the test including words or sentences that were typed and then deleted. Pearson knows whether or not the student views a test item, how long it takes him/her to answer a specific question, and it tracks the student's clicks as he/she navigates the test. This seemingly harmless data, when paired with sensitive information about an individual student, creates a very complex learning and behavioral profile of the child.
end of update
Big Brotherism on the part of the Pearson educational company has led to charges that they are "spying" on the social media postings from students particularly in New Jersey. Those students are taking the PARCC test that Pearson produces.
From the Washington Post:
Pearson, the world’s largest education company, is monitoring social media during the administration of the new PARCC Common Core test to detect any security breaches, and a spokeswoman said that it was “obligated” to alert authorities when any problems were discovered.
To note, California DOE has done this for several years.
From NJ blogger, Bob Braun:
The state education department is cooperating with this "spying"and has asked at least one school district to discipline students who may have said something inappropriate about the tests.
Superintendent Elizabeth C. Jewett of the Watchung Hills district in Warren, New Jersey sent a message to her staff saying that her "testing coordinator had received a call from the NJDOE that Pearson had initiated a 'Priority 1 Alert' for an item breach within our school."
At issue was a tweet from a student about a test item but it was ascertained that the student didn't photograph the item and only tweeted AFTER the testing was over. The student was told/asked/forced to delect the tweet and their parent notified. Apparently the parent was very worried that Pearson was monitoring student tweets from students in New Jersey schools.
The superintendent went on to say:
The DOE informed us that Pearson is monitoring all social media during PARCC testing.
I have to say that I find that a bit disturbing - and if our parents were concerned before about a conspiracy with all of the student data, I am sure I will be receiving more letters of refusal once this gets out (not to mention the fact that the DOE wanted us to also issue discipline to the student).
Several questions:
- why would Pearson have names of students, not de-identified numbers? (see this - apparent they get the student ID and the name, not to mention a number of other data points)
- isn't commenting on a test - especially after you took the test - free speech?
- is it spying or is a company just protecting its product?
From Ed Week:
Given the confluence of worries in K-12 over testing, privacy, and the common-core, it seems likely that more parents will be asking questions about the monitoring of social media for assessment purposes in the time ahead—and that school officials will, in turn, be asked to explain those policies.
Want to talk to Pearson on Twitter? @pearson
Facebook? https://www.facebook.com/pearsonplc (unfortunately they don't take messages)
Their blog? http://blog.pearson.com/making-assessments-count/
Comments
No. There are numerous industry examples in which it is mandatory to sign integrity forms prior to taking the test that state it will not even be spoken to others. CPA/actuarial exams, most computer industry certification exams (ex. Microsoft, Adobe). It completely compromises the integrity of the exam (and/or will drive up the cost of the exams more as they rewrite them more... and by that variability would decrease the reliability).
Do I feel they should be monitoring social media for specific test questions discussed amongst students - yes, but in an anonymous way. Take a screen shot of any inappropriate content (ex. describing a test question, especially if a photo of a test question), and go from there.
Should they be monitoring individual accounts based on who signed up - no. But general searches to watch for abuses of the testing standards seem reasonable to me.
Responsible Speech
Public schools are not private industry, and whereas Pearson is getting millions, if not billions, of our tax dollars, we, and not they, will determine what "free speech" is in this instance.
We can't do that, you might say? Just watch us.
2) Bob Braun is a blogger, true, but he is also the retired education reporter for the Newark Star-Ledger, where he served for 30-plus years in that capacity.
-- Ivan Weiss
It's the same as a student who takes a photo of his teacher's final exam and sends that over social media. This is not a free speech issue. Cheating isn't free speech and we, the public, do get to decide that cheating isn't OK.
--- swk
Contracts with states include how those data are to be used and not used, when they'll be destroyed, with whom they can be shared, etc.
--- swk
@ Ivan, I don't think this inability to share test info is anything new. My elementary student was afraid to ever tell me any details of past MAP or MSP tests (I don't remember if this was one or both). He said he signed something saying he couldn't talk about it with anyone. It took a lot of persuading and reassuring to extract info!
HIMSmom
Also, once a test is scored, isn't it a privacy issue to make sure that the correct scores get to the correct student/family? If the testing company is dealing only with numbers, this would create a mess to ensure that scores are assigned to the correct student/family so that the school/district could mail to these to the correct student/family.
I guess you're right. It's possible for the testing company to deal only in numbers. But it would increase the chances for error and add unnecessary time and expense.
Isn't it more prudent to put strict limits on the use of the personally identifiable information as well as severe penalties for the testing company for breach of data protocols?
I'm all for strict student data privacy, as I've said before. But prudence must also be considered.
--- swk
What's different? The tests can't stand the scrutiny of daylight.
-NNNCr
--- swk
HIMSmom
No. There are numerous industry examples in which it is mandatory to sign integrity forms prior to taking the test that state it will not even be spoken to others.
You're forgetting one very important thing. These are kids, they are not 18 years old. In all 50 states, the age requirement to sign a contract is 18, and contracts signed by minors are deemed invalid contracts in almost all cases (they may be voided). Here's a link to more info: Is it legal to sign a contract with a minor
Age requirements bring up another issue. If the kids are age 13-18, that's one set of rules, but if they are under 13, then it's not just a bad idea, but it is illegal under federal law for them to even be using social media like Twitter/FB. Parents, it's not just the states and Pearson that are reading your kids' posts, it's everyone. And they can (and are) piecing together data from as many different sources as possible to build deep profiles of your kids. Think about that.
How are states/Pearson/others identifying students? In many cases kids don't even bother to hide their real names on these sites, but for those who do, are these states and companies doing deeper research to find out who is posting what? Are Twitter/FB giving up that information? Lots of questions.
And, again, I'm all for strict student data privacy laws. However, every single piece of new legislation recently passed in the states have allowed for state agencies to share PII with their vendors under strict data protection protocols. This is very likely to continue into the future.
--- swk
With the SAT and ACT, well, you're out of there, so who cares. With a 3rd thru 11th grade test, reviewing the test is important.
The benefit isn't the score, the benefit is learning from the mistakes.
-NNNCr
There are numerous search strategies for tracking "keywords" - once you've tracked those, then yes, its remarkably easy often (if not scarily easily) to determine the identity of the person tweeting. I've had this conversation with my teen stepdaughter many times - you should always assume someone you don't want to see your info can and will. A sad fact of today's "oversharing" society.
reader47
This is in addition to the consent information dw just provided. I don't have a law background at all, but am using common sense.
This is about a company who doesn't yet have the technology to stay ahead of the game but wants to keep making billions in the meantime.
It's kind of a metaphor for the entire Common Core and accompanying testing: Cart before the horse.
--enough already
So is the student being disciplined for talking about a test question or cheating? Not the same thing in my mind.
SWK, do I believe and trust in these so-called contracts on student data privacy? Not much. Do I believe that you are for "strict" ones? Not really. Your statements are far more in support for collection of data.
And severe penalties? FERPA doesn't even have such penalties. SPS does not have such penalties.
Sorry, Washington State needs its own student data privacy law complete with teeth.
I don't remember an oath signed in blood.
Within these contracts, severe monetary penalties can be levied and enforced.
And just because I think there can be prudent and judicious use of PII when it leaves the school doesn't mean I'm not also for strict student data privacy laws. It's not the black and white issue that you make it out to be.
--- swk
I disagree - it is a black and white issue, at least in terms of contracts and punishments.
The fact that they were also forced to sign something saying they wouldn't divulge - also bogus. They are MINORS. They are not capable of consent. And if the school asks for my consent - they won't get it.
Reader
The Brave New World of testing expands
This is what Pearson & NJ officials agreed constitutes a "breach"
“Revealing or discussing passages or test items with anyone, including students and school staff, through verbal exchange, email, social media, or any other form of communication.”
pretty broad strokes there
reader47
Adults have to sign gag orders when they work at certain companies, but kids do not volunteer to "work" at the school they are assigned to. Many times families can't even choose the school - they go where they are told. Combine this with the fact that we are talking about children, and I can't believe that this is legal.
-not Atticus
Please consider adding #Pearson to your twitter posts; it doesn't matter if you are talking about grandma's macaroni and cheese recipe.
Should we requie that students don't talk to each other, too.
Students shouldn't be taking screen shots of test questions, but don't try and limit a person's speech.
Doesn't the Advanced Placement testing deal with these inevitable issues by giving tests in one time zone at a time, and then changing the questions when the testing goes to the next time zone?
Granted, these Pearson tests involve many more students. But I don't hear the AP test people blaming the students. Instead, they
seem to anticipate any validity risks from student sharing by taking it upon themselves to plan and institute their own technology safeguards before giving the tests.
It's really pathetic that Pearson thinks they can control their own security inadequacies through intimidation and blame. The fact that NJDOE has gone along and played enforcer demonstrates just how powerful and far-reaching this monstrosity has become.
--enough already
This is usually spelled out in student rights and responsibilities and/or code of conduct handbooks and parents usually sign that they've read it.
If a student is caught cheating and the cheating was clearly a violation of student responsibilities and code of conduct, it's highly doubtful that a student could claim free speech and not get their claim laughed out of court.
--- swk
Remember the Pineapple question?
--- swk
Every single parent should worry about this kind of business overreaction to a test. We should wonder why, when and who is monitoring social media to spy on kids.
That allows for some mischievous fun on test day.
-HS Parent
If individual teachers can have more than one test version, then so can a huge Corp. like Pearson. Nope, they're not worried about cheating. THEY.WANT.THE.DATA on the kids. Data is the Everlasting Gobstopper, the FREE money that will keep coming year after year, the gift of unimaginable riches that keeps on giving. Data is why Uber got all those billions in venture money, those gazillionaire investors aren't interested in the measly 20% that Uber robs from the poor drivers! Uber can get ALL the info on the riders - real names, banks, where they work, shop, party, who their friends and families are, their daily schedules etc. etc. The possibilities, as they say, are endless. Pearson can have files on every child in America from 3 yo to mid twenties and beyond if they can get every school to use their tests.
I'm curious, swk, do you work for one of these test companies? Holding some education profiteering, er, industry stocks, perhaps? "Cheating is cheating"? Get real, swk. Talking about a test they just took on social media is not cheating, whining, maybe.
CCA
I hope all the negativity doesn't prompt such behavior in SPS students.
Unfortunately social media is fair game for anyone from pervs to scammers to data miners. Be aware and keep your kids aware.
Google knows you, the gov't knows all, Google keeps your discarded emails and who knows what. It's the new world and the kids should be more careful in general on line and particularly in regards to tests. I'm sure universities have had to deal with this too and treat it like plagiarism and expel students.
Don't mess with the man!
Abe
It is not considered cheating.
-Hmpf
Discussing a question after the test is over is not cheating, it's free speech. You can't force someone to give up their free speech rights as a condition of receiving a mandatory public education.
Maybe Pearson needs to put some thought into their tests and how they're administered. The College Board rotates questions in and out so that the same test isn't given at different times.
But bullying kids is easier than thinking.
Melissa, can you look into it? Thanks.