South Dakota Student Data Reporting, Records, and Privacy Guide

Primary Law
Education data reporting systems and privacy of student education records

Citation
South Dakota Codified Laws 13-3-51 and 13-3-51.1 (privacy-related provisions in SDCL Title 13)

Official Text
https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/13-3-51.html?all=true
https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/13-3-51.1.html?all=true

Overview

South Dakota addresses student information through statutes governing education data reporting systems and privacy concepts tied to education records. The framework aligns closely with federal definitions and requirements, including FERPA concepts such as education records, disclosure, and personally identifiable information.

For districts, the day-to-day compliance focus is to control disclosures, document data use, and ensure vendors and service providers handling student records operate under clear limitations and safeguards.

Applicability and Scope

South Dakota privacy considerations are most relevant when districts:

• Maintain education records and student information systems
• Share student information for reporting, program administration, or instructional services
• Use vendor-hosted tools that store student identifiers, student work, or assessment results

Disclosure Controls and Alignment with Federal Definitions

South Dakota's statutes reference and align with federal education record definitions and privacy protection laws. Districts should apply a practical disclosure discipline:

• Share only what is needed for the authorized educational purpose
• Use written agreements and confidentiality terms when vendors access student records
• Prefer aggregate reporting where individual identification is not required

Governance Practices that Scale Across Tools

Because districts often use many apps and services, a repeatable governance workflow is the easiest way to maintain privacy alignment across the entire edtech ecosystem.

How Can EdPrivacy Help South Dakota Schools

South Dakota districts benefit from a centralized place to track which tools touch education records and to document how disclosures and vendor access are authorized. EdPrivacy helps districts keep app inventory, vendor artifacts, and approvals in one system so privacy oversight remains consistent.

The platform helps districts:

• Catalog district-approved apps and indicate which services handle student education records or PII
• Keep DPAs, contracts, and vendor privacy terms organized alongside review history
• Document disclosure rationale, access controls, and any conditions for use (data minimization, retention expectations)
• Schedule periodic re-checks when vendors update privacy terms or when integrations expand

Summary

South Dakota districts should be prepared to:

• Align data sharing and record handling practices with education record privacy concepts
• Control vendor access using clear terms, purpose limitation, and confidentiality obligations
• Maintain an inventory-driven approval workflow that supports consistent oversight
• Review tools periodically to ensure documentation matches actual data flows

South Dakota's approach supports strong district governance built around controlled disclosure, documentation, and vendor oversight for student education records.