Staying Compliant in Curriculum Design: FERPA, COPPA, Title IX, and IDEA
- Tom Songer M Ed CI
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
Building Trust Through Compliance
In education today, compliance isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s the foundation of trust, equity, and effective learning. As curriculum designers, we have a responsibility to create learning environments that are not only engaging but also aligned with the laws that protect students. Four key regulations stand out in this space: FERPA, COPPA, Title IX, and IDEA. (Read More)
FERPA: Protecting Student Privacy
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) safeguards student records and privacy. For curriculum designers, this means:
Limiting the use of personally identifiable information.
Ensuring LMS and digital tools have secure data practices.
Communicating privacy policies clearly to students and families.
Practical Tips
Minimize the use of personally identifiable information (PII) in student-facing materials.
Incorporate data privacy disclaimers in your course design.
Collaborate with IT teams to ensure encryption and secure data storage.
COPPA: Safeguarding Children Online
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulates the collection of personal data from children under 13. With e-learning and apps now central to K-12 education, designers must:
Choose platforms that clearly state COPPA compliance.
Avoid requiring unnecessary personal data.
Be transparent with parents about data collection.
Ignoring COPPA can be costly—YouTube’s $170M settlement in 2019 is a reminder of the stakes.
Title IX: Ensuring Gender Equity
Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. While often linked to athletics, its impact reaches every corner of curriculum design. Research by Sadker & Zittleman (Still Failing at Fairness, 2009) shows how gender bias in textbooks and materials can reinforce inequality.
As curriculum designers, we can:
Audit examples, case studies, and visuals for gender balance.
Encourage inclusive discussion prompts.
Integrate training on equity into professional development.
IDEA: Designing for Accessibility
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to provide equitable learning for students with disabilities through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
For designers, this translates into:
Applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
Offering multiple content formats (audio, text, captioned video).
Testing digital content for accessibility (WCAG, Section 508).
Accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s a way to improve learning for all students.
Why Compliance Matters
Compliance may feel like red tape, but for curriculum professionals it’s much more than that:
Legal: Protects schools from lawsuits, fines, and funding risks.
Ethical: Ensures students’ rights, equity, and safety.
Reputational: Builds trust with parents, communities, and stakeholders.
Educational: Inclusive curricula improve engagement and retention.
A 2020 Journal of Diversity in Higher Education study found that students in inclusive classrooms reported higher satisfaction and stronger academic confidence—proof that compliance and outcomes go hand in hand.
Final Takeaway
Compliance is not just about checking boxes—it’s about building an education system that is safe, equitable, and accessible to all. As curriculum designers, we must weave FERPA, COPPA, Title IX, and IDEA into our design process from the very beginning.
By doing so, we not only stay compliant but also create learning that empowers every student to succeed.
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