When families enroll a child in Columbus Public Schools, they trust us with a great deal of information about that child. Grades and test scores, attendance and discipline records, health and special education files, home addresses and family details all sit in district systems. CPS treats that information as belonging to students and families, not to the district. We hold it only so we can teach, support and keep students safe.
That principle is the reason behind new Board Policy 509.05, Student Data Use for Degree Research, and its companion regulation, 509.05R1. Together they set some of the firmest limits in the district on how student information may be used for research. They also explain why one federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), sits at the center of how we handle every student record.
Why FERPA matters
FERPA is the federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Congress passed it in 1974, and it applies to schools that receive U.S. Department of Education funding, which includes CPS. It gives parents three core rights:
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Access: the right to inspect and review their child's education records.
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Accuracy: the right to ask the school to correct records they believe are inaccurate or misleading.
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Consent: control over whether personally identifiable information from those records is shared, with only limited exceptions set in law.
When a student turns 18 or enrolls in college, these rights pass from the parent to the student, who becomes an " eligible student."
FERPA is critical because student records are some of the most sensitive information any public agency holds. A transcript, an IEP, a health note or a discipline file can follow a young person for years. Once that information is released, it cannot be taken back.
The risks are real. In December 2024, hackers broke into PowerSchool, a student information system used by districts across North America. Reports put the stolen data at more than 62 million student records, including grades, medical information and meal eligibility at some districts ( TechCrunch). The lesson for every district is simple: the less student data that leaves our control, and the fewer people who hold it, the safer students are.
FERPA sets the legal floor. CPS has chosen to go further, and research is one of the clearest places we do.
What the new policy says
Policy 509.05 starts from a clear rule: CPS student data is not available for research. That applies whether the request comes from a university, an outside organization, a vendor, a member of the public, or a CPS employee. Specifically, the policy:
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Bars general research. No release of grades, test scores, attendance, discipline, special education, health, English learner or other non-directory information for outside studies, publications, grants or advocacy.
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Bars vendor-based research. Companies that provide services to CPS may use student data only to deliver those services. They may not use it, even in de-identified form, to build, test, improve or market products. District contracts must say so.
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Protects directory information. Even basic directory items, such as names, will not be released to anyone for research, marketing or commercial purposes.
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Keeps outside researchers out of classrooms. Outside researchers, organizations and vendors may not survey or interview CPS students for research.
The policy allows one narrow exception. Many CPS teachers and administrators are working on master's degrees, specialist degrees and doctorates. Their research can help our own students, so a CPS employee may ask to use limited student data to complete a graduate degree, certificate or endorsement. Approval is a privilege, not a right, and the Superintendent may deny, limit or revoke it at any time.
The policy does not change routine work the law requires, such as state reporting to the Nebraska Department of Education or sharing reports CPS has already made public.
What this means for families
The message of Policy 509.05 is simple: your child's information stays with CPS and is used to serve your child. It is not a resource for outside studies, and it is never a product for companies.
Parents and eligible students keep all their rights under FERPA and the PPRA. You may review your child's education records, ask for corrections, opt out of directory information, review surveys on protected topics, and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. These rights are described each year in the district's annual FERPA notice.
If a CPS staff member asks your child to take part in degree research, you will receive an approved consent form first, and saying no carries no consequence. Questions about the policy, or about any request involving your child's information, may be directed to the Superintendent's office.
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Understanding Your School's AQuESTT Rating
Each fall, the Nebraska Department of Education gives every public school and district in the state a rating through a system called AQuESTT (Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow). Here's what those ratings mean for your family.
Four levels, not a ranking
Schools receive one of four ratings: Excellent, Great, Good, or Needs Support to Improve. These are not rankings. Schools aren't competing against each other. Every school is measured against the same standards, so in theory every school in Nebraska could earn "Excellent."
What goes into the rating
Think of it like a report card with several subjects. The state looks at multiple measures, including:
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How students score on state reading and math tests. This is the largest piece.
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Whether students are growing from one year to the next.
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Whether scores are improving over several years.
- Science scores
- Progress of English learners
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Attendance, specifically whether fewer students are missing large amounts of school
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Graduation rates and readiness for life after high school (for high schools), such as dual credit, career courses, and work-based learning
Each measure gets a score, the scores are weighted and combined, and the total determines the rating.
What's new this year
The 2026 ratings use an updated scorecard that NDE designed to be more transparent.
What a rating tells you, and what it doesn't
A rating offers a quick snapshot of how a school is doing on key academic measures. It doesn't capture everything that makes a school a good fit for your child: the relationships between students and teachers, activities, arts, or the support your child receives every day.
Columbus Public Schools ratings will be released in the coming weeks and we will share them through this newsletter.
Where to learn more
You can see your school's rating and the details behind it on the Nebraska Education Profile at nep.education.ne.gov. The best source of information is still your child's teacher and principal. If you have questions about your school's results, please reach out. We're glad to talk through what the numbers mean and what we're doing to help every student succeed.
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Columbus Public Schools in partnership with Gregg Young Toyota Columbus is proud to recognize Chelsea Konwinski, third grade teacher at Lost Creek Elementary as the September recipient of the Gregg Young Toyota THE EXTRA MILE Recognition Award.
Nominated by her colleagues, Chelsea was recognized for her willingness to go above and beyond to support her teaching team, including a first-year teacher and a long-term substitute.
"As a first-year teacher, this year has had its ups and downs. Chelsea has been a great support throughout it all," one nominator shared.
Another nominator highlighted Chelsea's dedication to ensuring a smooth transition for students while a fellow teacher is on maternity leave. From preparing classroom materials to assisting with MAP and DIBELS assessments, Chelsea has consistently stepped up to help her colleagues succeed.
Chelsea's positive attitude, support for her colleagues and commitment to student success are wonderful examples of what it means to go the extra mile.
In August, we proudly presented Gregg Young Toyota THE EXTRA MILE Recognition Award sponsored by Gregg Young Toyota of Columbus to Tania S. Stahl for her outstanding dedication, hard work, and positive impact on the district.
The nomination from a colleague read, "Your commitment, willingness to go the extra mile, and contributions to our success truly make a difference. Thank you for everything you do. We’re lucky to have you on our team."
Tania Stahl works as the payroll and benefits associate for the entire CPS school district.
We continue to be grateful for the support of our community in recognizing the outstanding work of Columbus Public Schools employees!
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