Student Privacy Protection Act

While the war on Iraq has already claimed the lives of over 3,000 young Americans, the Bush Administration has found a new "hotspot" for the U.S. military to occupy: our nation's schools!

From the growing presence of military recruiters in classrooms and cafeterias to schools’ widespread use of standardized military testing and the growth of expensive and deceptive campaigns like "Military Adventure Tours" that glorify war to elementary students, the Pentagon is deeply invested in selling militarism to youth in the United States.

And now, the federal legislation of the "No Child Left Behind Act" forces schools across the country to give military recruiters special access to students' personal information in exchange for much needed school funding! But students and their parents DO have the power to change this!

Contact your Representative and tell them to cosponsor HR 1346, The Student Privacy Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA). This bill would protect students' personal information unless they specifically choose to share it with military recruiters (a reversal from 'opt-out' to 'opt-in' for having your info shared).

Modify the message below and send it to your Representative!

If you're in high school, and therefore directly affected by this policy, please note this in your message.

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November 21, 2009

Subject:

Dear Congressperson

I am writing to express my serious concern about the military recruitment provision, section 9528, of the No Child Left Behind Act. Our schools are places for education, not recruitment. Forcing schools to turn over student information to recruiters or risk losing federal funds is a violation of the privacy of young people. The 'opt-out' policy is unclear and carried out irregularly from district to district. Congressman Mike Honda (CA) has introduced H.R. 1346, the Student Privacy Protection Act, which would require that students authorize their information to be shared with military recruiters before the school can turn over the information. Please support the rights of students' to privacy and determining who their information is shared with and cosponsor this important piece of legislation today. I look forward to hearing the actions you plan to take on this issue.
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Thank you for taking action to protect the privacy of yourself and others!