Liberty University Student Data: What's Being Tracked?

Liberty University is a private, Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was founded in 1971 by Baptist minister, televangelist, and conservative political activist Jerry Falwell. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and has a large number of online students in addition to its on-campus population. With a total enrollment exceeding 140,000 students, Liberty University is one of the largest universities in the United States. The university has a comprehensive student data collection system that tracks various aspects of student life and academic performance. This includes information such as enrollment status, course registration, grades, academic standing, and degree progress. While the university does not publicly disclose all the specific details of its student data tracking system, the extensive collection of student information suggests that Liberty University actively monitors and records student data for administrative, academic, and research purposes.

Student data tracking and privacy

Types of Student Data

Student data can be categorised into several types, each carrying its own level of sensitivity and potential privacy risks:

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII): This includes direct identifiers such as a student's name or identification number, as well as indirect identifiers like their date of birth, which can be used to distinguish an individual's identity.
• Deidentified Data: This type of data has enough information removed that a student cannot be easily identified. It is often used in reports on student achievement or shared with external researchers.
• Aggregate Data: This refers to data about groups of students, typically shared as part of a school's federal reporting requirements, such as attendance rates.
• Metadata: This is data that provides information about other data, such as the time spent on a test versus the grade received.

Purposes of Student Data Collection

Student data is collected for multiple purposes:

• Improving Educational Experiences: Allowing educators to track student progress, tailor lesson plans, and intervene when needed.
• Protecting Health and Safety: Maintaining medical records, allergy information, and emergency contacts.
• Administrative Functions: Collecting, maintaining, and reporting basic enrollment, attendance, and academic records.
• Informing Government Functions: Tracking school performance, assessing funding usage, and providing information to the public.

Student Data Privacy Risks and Harms

The improper handling of student data or lack of adequate privacy protections can lead to significant risks and harms, including:

• Actual Harm: Students may suffer physical, emotional, or reputational harm due to unauthorised access to their personal information.
• Legal Consequences: Schools may face fines, lawsuits, or even imprisonment for failing to comply with student privacy laws.
• Public Relations Disasters: Misinformation or lack of communication about unethical or irresponsible data practices can damage a school's reputation.

Federal Privacy Laws and School Policies

Several key federal privacy laws govern student data privacy:

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Guarantees parents' access to their children's education records and restricts the sharing of this information.
• Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA): Requires parental notification and consent for certain surveys or evaluations that collect sensitive information from students.
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): Regulates the collection of personal information from children under 13 by websites, games, and mobile applications.

Additionally, schools and districts have their own policies to protect student data privacy, covering areas such as edtech vetting, posting student work, social media use, and data sharing with community organisations.

Best Practices for Student Data Privacy

To ensure responsible student data handling, it is essential to foster a culture of privacy. This involves understanding the legal landscape, implementing robust data governance programs, training educators and staff, and maintaining open communication with students, parents, and stakeholders. Here are some specific recommendations for federal, state, district, and school policymakers, as well as educators and parents:

• Federal Policymakers: Review and update federal laws like FERPA and COPPA to balance privacy protection with the need to improve teaching and learning. Provide funding and resources for schools to enhance data security and comply with new regulations.
• State Policymakers: Develop statewide data security plans, data breach notification policies, and designate officials responsible for privacy and compliance with federal and state laws.
• District Policymakers: Establish clear policies on what student information is collected, how it is secured and stored, and who has access to it. Identify a district privacy officer to monitor and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.
• School Leaders: Familiarise yourself with relevant laws and policies. Communicate district policies and roles related to student data collection and cybersecurity to staff, parents, and students.
• Educators: Build your professional capacity by understanding student data privacy. Proactively share information with students and parents about data collection practices and protect student data privacy in your classroom.
• Parents: Learn about student data privacy laws and your rights. Advocate for robust data privacy programs and training. Have conversations with your children about safe and responsible online engagement.
• Students: Develop skills to become good digital citizens by managing your digital identity, engaging in ethical online behaviour, and staying informed about how your data is collected and used.

Student data and online learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology in education, with many institutions implementing online teaching models. This has raised concerns about data protection and privacy for students. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to limit the negative effects of the digitisation of education, such as lecture capture and tutorial recording. However, the GDPR may be insufficient in addressing the power imbalance between students and institutions, where students have little choice but to accept the terms or risk being locked out of academia.

To enhance student data protection, a collaborative digital environment, or "commons", has been proposed. This would give students more agency over their personal data and increase transparency around data protection rights and institutional policies. While over 50% of students trust universities with their data, more transparency can support higher online learning participation rates and help prevent potential data protection issues.

The integration of big data and online education has become a mainstream teaching method during the pandemic. Big data and the internet have enabled innovative online education platforms, such as MOOCs and DingTalk, and created new methods, such as virtual classrooms.

Liberty University, a private Christian university in Virginia, has embraced online education since 1985 and offers over 100 undergraduate online degree programs. The university has seen record-breaking enrollment, with over 130,000 students in 2022, including 115,000 online students. Liberty's online programs offer flexibility, with most courses being eight weeks long, and some requiring short periods of face-to-face instruction.

Liberty's online courses follow the semester system, with a semester hour consisting of 750 minutes of class work. Students are considered full-time with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. The university has a late assignment policy, with deductions for submissions up to two weeks late, and a no-acceptance policy for assignments over two weeks late.

Liberty's online courses require regular attendance and participation, with students expected to submit graded assignments or initiate communication with professors regarding the course within the first week. Students who do not meet these requirements may be dropped from the course.

Liberty's grading scale is standardised across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with letter grades corresponding to a 100-point scale for undergraduates and an 80-point scale for graduates and doctorates.

Liberty's online students can request to audit courses, but these requests must be made directly to the Registrar's Office and are subject to additional fees. Audited courses do not count toward graduation requirements.

Liberty's online programs offer a range of degrees, from associate to doctoral, and students can choose from over 700 unique programs. The university has 15 colleges and schools, including a law school and a college of osteopathic medicine.

The integration of big data and online education has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with institutions like Liberty University embracing online learning. This shift has raised concerns about student data protection and privacy, leading to proposals for collaborative digital environments to enhance student agency. Liberty's online programs offer flexibility and a wide range of degree options, contributing to its record-breaking enrollment.

Student data and enrolment

Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia, that offers a wide range of academic programs to its students. The university has a large student body, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 52,823 students in the fall of 2023. The gender distribution among the undergraduate students is 44.5% male and 55.5% female, with a significant number of students living in college-affiliated housing.

The university offers various degree programs, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as undergraduate and graduate-level certificate programs. Liberty University is organised into several schools, including a law school, a college of osteopathic medicine, and a school of education. The university also offers a significant number of online programs, with tens of thousands of students pursuing degrees through Liberty University Online.

The enrollment process at Liberty University involves submitting applications, which may include SAT scores, and the university has a high acceptance rate of 99.3% as of 2022. The student body is diverse, representing students from all 50 states and over 80 countries. The university also has a large number of military-affiliated students, with over 40,000 enrolled.

Liberty University offers a comprehensive array of support services to its students, including academic advising, financial aid, and special accommodations for students with disabilities. The university provides a range of housing options, with 52% of residential students living on campus and the rest commuting. The cost of attendance includes tuition, room and board, and other expenses, and a significant percentage of students receive financial aid through grants and loans.

Student data and academic performance

Student data is integral to understanding and improving academic performance. It allows educators to make strategic decisions and optimise instruction for better learning outcomes. By collecting and analysing student data, teachers can identify areas of improvement, develop targeted interventions, and provide personalised support to enhance student success.

Educational institutions, such as Liberty University, often track and utilise student data to gain insights into student performance and make data-driven decisions. This data includes information on enrolment, demographics, academic history, and course completion rates, among other factors.

Benefits of Student Data for Academic Performance

• Understanding Academic Progress: Student data provides comprehensive visibility into student performance. Diagnostic assessments, periodic assessments, and summative assessments all play a role in understanding a student's academic journey and progress over time.
• Personalised Interventions: By analysing student data, educators can identify specific gaps in comprehension and develop tailored instruction plans to address these gaps, ensuring that no student is left behind.
• Improved Efficiency: Student data management platforms streamline the process of aggregating, analysing, and reporting on student data. This saves time for teachers, allowing them to focus on instruction and curriculum improvement.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Student data enables educators and administrators to make informed decisions about curriculum design, resource allocation, and academic support services. This ensures that interventions and resources are targeted effectively to maximise student success.
• Early Identification of At-Risk Students: By tracking student data, educators can quickly identify students who are struggling or at risk of falling behind. This allows for early intervention and additional support to be provided, preventing students from falling through the cracks.
• Curriculum Improvement: Student data can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods, learning materials, and curriculum design. This data-driven approach enables educators to refine and improve their instructional practices, benefiting both students and teachers.
• Enhanced Student Motivation: When student data is used effectively, it can increase student motivation and engagement. Students can track their own progress, set personalised goals, and receive timely feedback, fostering a growth mindset and a sense of ownership over their learning journey.
• Individualised Learning: Student data allows teachers to differentiate instruction and provide individualised support. By understanding each student's strengths and weaknesses, teachers can adapt their teaching methods and resources to meet the unique needs of their students.
• Resource Allocation: Student data helps administrators allocate resources effectively. By understanding the specific needs of the student population, schools can allocate funding, staff, and other resources where they are most needed, maximising the impact on academic performance.
• Program Evaluation: Student data is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of academic programs and interventions. By tracking student outcomes and performance data, educators can identify which programs are successful and which areas need improvement, ensuring that students receive the best possible education.

Best Practices for Using Student Data

• Data Security and Privacy: It is crucial to ensure that student data is securely stored and protected in compliance with relevant data privacy laws and regulations, such as FERPA in the United States. Only authorised personnel should have access to student data, and it should be used solely for the purpose of improving student learning and academic performance.
• Data Standardisation and Consistency: To make meaningful comparisons and draw accurate conclusions, it is essential to ensure that student data is collected and recorded consistently across the institution. Standardised data collection tools and protocols help ensure the reliability and validity of the data.
• Ethical Use of Data: Student data should be used ethically and responsibly. This includes obtaining appropriate consent, being transparent about data collection practices, and using data solely for the benefit of students and the educational community.
• Data Visualisation and Analysis Tools: Investing in robust data analysis and visualisation tools can help educators make sense of large volumes of student data. These tools enable educators to identify patterns, trends, and outliers, allowing for more informed decision-making.
• Collaborative Data Sharing: Sharing student data across departments and with relevant stakeholders can lead to more holistic support for students. For example, sharing data with school counsellors or support services can help identify students who may need additional social-emotional support or interventions.
• Student Agency and Ownership: While educators play a crucial role in collecting and analysing student data, it is also important to involve students in the process. Encouraging students to track their own data, set goals, and reflect on their progress fosters a sense of ownership and empowers them to take an active role in their learning journey.
• Continuous Improvement: Student data should be used as a catalyst for continuous improvement. By regularly reviewing and analysing student data, educators can identify areas for improvement and develop data-informed action plans to enhance academic programmes and interventions.
• Data-Informed Instruction: Student data should inform instructional practices and pedagogical approaches. By understanding student strengths and areas for improvement, teachers can adapt their teaching methods, resources, and differentiation strategies to meet the diverse needs of their students.

In conclusion, student data plays a critical role in understanding and improving academic performance. When collected, analysed, and used ethically and responsibly, student data enables educators to make data-driven decisions, develop targeted interventions, and provide individualised support to enhance student learning and success. By embracing a data-informed approach to education, institutions can maximise the impact of their academic programs and better serve the needs of their student population.

Student data and financial aid

Liberty University offers a wide range of financial aid options for its students, including federal grants, work-study programs, loans, and scholarships. The university recommends that students renew their FAFSA applications annually at least four months before the start of classes.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in applying for financial aid. It is available each year and uses already-filed tax data to determine aid eligibility. All US citizens and eligible non-citizens are required to complete the FAFSA annually to be considered for federal financial aid and most Liberty-given financial aid. The FAFSA is accessible online at StudentAid.Gov, and Liberty University's school code is 010392.

The university also provides a Net Price Calculator on its website to help students estimate the cost of attendance. Additionally, Liberty University has a Student Financial Services department that establishes annual cost-of-attendance allowances to help students and their families plan for the academic year.

Furthermore, Liberty University offers a variety of scholarships and grants, such as the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG). The university also accepts transfer credits and has a generous credit-by-examination policy, allowing students to earn academic credit toward their undergraduate degrees through testing.

The university's financial aid statistics indicate that many students receive federal aid, with the number of students receiving Federal Pell Grants being similar to the national average. The average annual Federal Pell Grant amount for Liberty students is comparable to the national average.

In addition, Liberty University offers assistance for borrowing less, such as providing scholarship search sessions, participating in webinars for online students, and increasing work-study funds and opportunities.

Frequently asked questions