When students return to school this year, parents will face a decision about whether to allow the Maine Department of Education to use their childrens' social security numbers to track them through school, and to check how they're doing after leaving high school.

Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, says using social security numbers increases the risk of identify theft.
       
"For decades the department of education has collected data on student performance without using social security numbers," Bellow said. "School superintendants, parents, school boards are all concerned at the departure from longstanding tradition toward a tactic which makes children more vulnerable to what's the fastest growing crime in the united states."

Under state law, parents decide whether to allow the collection and use of social security numbers to track students.

Acting Education Commissioner Angela Faherty says there will be no impact on a student's status if a parent chooses not to allow access to their child's social security number.