Student Numbers: Are They Unique Identifiers?

The Universal Student Number (USN) is a unique identifier for students, allowing access to online portals, e-learning, and other services. Each student has a distinct USN, which is typically a 10-digit number. In Australia, the government is proposing a mandatory USN for Vocational Education and Training (VET) students, which has sparked debates about privacy and potential misuse of personal information. While it offers benefits like improved record-keeping and access to transcripts, concerns have been raised regarding the protection of students' personal information, especially given Australia's history with the collapse of private VET bodies.

Unique student numbers as a gateway to online services

Ensuring that each student has a unique identifier is essential for effective education management. This identifier is often a student number, but it can also be a code or another type of ID. These unique student numbers are typically generated automatically by a system or platform, such as SchoolInsight, which can ensure that no two students have the same number.

Unique student numbers serve as a gateway to various online services for students. For example, in Australia, the Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a student's individual education number for life. It allows students to access their vocational education and training (VET) records online as transcripts at any time. Without a USI, students cannot receive Commonwealth financial assistance or their qualification or statement of attainment.

In the UK, the Department for Education provides a guide and a tool for generating Unique Pupil Numbers (UPNs), which are 13-character codes that identify each pupil in the local-authority-maintained school system. These UPNs are used to follow students in school registers, examination records, and national scholarship databases.

Unique student IDs are prevalent worldwide, especially in secondary education, with 93% of countries outside Western Europe and North America adopting them. However, the implementation of unique student identification mechanisms varies globally. For instance, in Southeast Asia, countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore have introduced unique student identification systems, while in Africa, school ID numbers often lack uniqueness.

The benefits of unique student numbers extend beyond education. For instance, student identification can be linked to civil registry official digital identification, providing access to other social services. Furthermore, unique student IDs facilitate the tracking of student progress and performance, enabling more advanced analyses of repetition, dropout patterns, and learner trajectories.

The potential for misuse of student information

Student information typically consists of personal, academic, and demographic data. This includes a student's name, birth date, address, grades, transcripts, attendance records, test scores, course enrollment history, gender, ethnicity, preferred languages, socioeconomic status, and special educational needs. This data is gathered by educational institutions, online learning platforms, and other providers of educational services.

• Unauthorized access: If the security measures of an online learning platform are inadequate, malicious actors may gain unauthorized access to student information. This can lead to data breaches where personal information, such as names, addresses, and contact details, is exposed. This, in turn, can result in identity theft, fraud, or targeted marketing.
• Inadequate data protection: Online learning platforms may share student data with advertisers or third-party service providers without obtaining consent or ensuring proper data protection. This can lead to the misuse of student information for targeted marketing, profiling, or other business purposes.
• Lack of anonymization: Student information, such as performance records, appraisals, or behavior patterns, can be linked to individuals without proper anonymization techniques. This can lead to students being identified and their data being used for discriminatory purposes, tracking, or profiling.
• Inadequate data deletion: Online learning platforms should securely delete or anonymize student data when it is no longer required for educational purposes. However, if proper data deletion procedures are not in place, there is a risk of data being retained longer than necessary or accessed by unauthorized parties.
• Lack of transparency: Online learning platforms may not provide clear information about how student data is collected, used, or accessed. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for students and their parents to make informed decisions about their privacy.
• Insecure data storage: Student data stored on servers without proper security measures, such as encryption and restricted access, is vulnerable to hacking, data breaches, and other cyber threats. This can result in unauthorized access to and misuse of sensitive student information.

To prevent the misuse of student information, educational institutions and online learning platforms must adhere to laws and regulations, such as FERPA in the United States, GDPR in the European Union, and the Data Protection Act in the United Kingdom. Additionally, they should implement robust security measures, such as data encryption and secure transmission protocols, to protect student data from unauthorized access and cyberattacks. Clear and transparent privacy policies should be in place, and appropriate consent should be obtained, especially when dealing with sensitive data.

The history of implementing universal identifiers

Despite the initial backlash, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) decided in April 2012 to implement a Unique Student Identifier (USI) nationally for Vocational Education and Training (VET) students. This decision was made to provide VET students with a complete record of their enrolments and achievements, even if they moved between institutions or took different courses. The USI is a unique 9-digit code that stays with the student for life and is required to obtain qualifications or statements of attainment.

In 2013, the Australian government introduced the Student Identifiers Bill, which sought to create a mandatory universal identifier for all VET students, covering between 2.3 and 2.7 million people. This identifier would be allocated on a lifetime basis, meaning that students would use the same number at every institution and for every course. The legislation also proposed the establishment of a new national agency to supervise the scheme and manage the privacy and security of student information.

However, the implementation of universal student identifiers in Australia has not been without its challenges. There have been concerns about the potential for education providers to misuse or mishandle student information, as well as a lack of trust in the national Privacy Commissioner's ability to effectively address privacy concerns. Additionally, there has been criticism about the limited public consultation during the development of the USI scheme, with engagement largely limited to "the usual suspects".

In December 2019, the Australian Government took another step towards expanding the use of USIs by introducing the Student Identifiers Amendment (Higher Education) Bill 2019. This bill sought to extend the use of USIs to all higher education students, including those at universities, TAFEs, and independent tertiary colleges. As of January 2023, USI became mandatory for higher education providers, who are now required to ensure that students have a USI before conferring an award, unless an exemption applies.

Privacy concerns and the role of the Privacy Commissioner

The use of technology in schools has led to an "explosion of data" for public school systems to analyse and utilise. This has raised legitimate privacy concerns, with parents worried that student data is being used for marketing purposes, and studies suggesting that student data may be shared without appropriate legal safeguards.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is the primary federal law that protects student privacy in the US. It gives parents the right to access and challenge incorrect school records about their children. However, there are a number of exceptions that allow schools to disclose personally identifiable information (PII) from education records without consent. For instance, schools may share data with entities they designate as "school officials", including contractors, consultants, and approved volunteers, as long as certain requirements are met.

To address privacy concerns, legislators have proposed laws to enable parents to opt in or opt out of various data practices. However, this approach has been criticised as it may not effectively protect student privacy and could unintentionally exclude children from critical services necessary for their education. Instead, it has been suggested that schools and their partners should offer more transparency and insight into how data is being used, so that parents and students can make informed decisions.

To enhance accountability for data sharing and use, schools and third-party vendors must limit inappropriate commercial advertising and marketing uses, and comply with FERPA's limits on "legitimate educational interests". State policymakers should also play a role by considering privacy separately from wider policy debates about education reform, and by appointing dedicated officers to oversee data use and security practices.

At the federal level, the US Department of Education has identified using student data systems to help students and improve education as a top national priority. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has suggested that student privacy rules are essential for safeguarding student information while also enabling schools to utilise data to enhance and accelerate student learning.

The benefits of a universal student ID

Student IDs are a cornerstone of educational institutions, helping to shape the minds of the future and putting them on a path toward success. While they are often overlooked as a mere practicality, they offer a wide range of benefits for students and staff, making them an integral part of campus life.

A universal student ID would provide a consistent and standardised way of identifying students across educational institutions. This would be particularly beneficial for students who transfer between institutions or take courses with multiple providers. It would also streamline administrative processes and enhance security measures.

Streamlined Administrative Processes

A universal student ID would facilitate efficient administrative processes, making the management of student records, attendance tracking, and examination entry more seamless. It would enable quick verification of student status, reducing the risk of errors and fraudulent activities. This would be especially useful for students who take online courses or participate in distance learning, as it would provide a centralised system for managing their enrolment and academic records.

Enhanced Security and Safety

Student IDs are crucial for ensuring a safe and secure environment for students and staff. A universal student ID would serve as a standardised form of identification, allowing for better access control and security across different campuses and institutions. This would help prevent unauthorised access to buildings, dormitories, and other secure areas, ensuring the safety of those on campus.

Improved Student Experience

A universal student ID would improve the overall student experience by providing easier access to resources and services. Students would no longer need to carry multiple IDs or remember different login credentials for various platforms. This would streamline their access to libraries, computer labs, recreational facilities, and other campus services, enhancing their educational journey.

Better Data Management

With a universal student ID system, educational institutions could better manage and safeguard their resources. This would include tracking attendance, monitoring usage of facilities and resources, and providing tailored services to students. Additionally, it would enable institutions to efficiently share student data with relevant third parties, such as medical organisations or internship providers, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.

Financial Benefits and Discounts

Student IDs often come with financial perks, such as discounts on products and services. A universal student ID would simplify the process of verifying student status for these benefits, making it easier for students to access reduced prices on software subscriptions, transportation, entertainment, and more. This would not only make essential services more affordable for students but also encourage spending within the local community, fostering a stronger relationship between educational institutions and their surrounding areas.

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