Which guidelines must be followed for privacy and data handling in DECA events?

• A. School guidelines and DECA policies.
• B. Only the chapter's internal rules.
• C. No guidelines are required.
• D. Only federal privacy law.

Answer: (A)

When handling privacy and data in DECA events, you must follow both school guidelines and DECA policies. Schools govern student records and privacy protections through district rules and applicable laws, while DECA provides its own policies that address data collection, storage, access, sharing (including with sponsors), and retention specifically for DECA activities. Following both sets of guidelines ensures consistent protections across chapters and events and covers practical practices that federal law alone may not specify. Relying only on federal privacy law would miss the more specific requirements at the school and DECA levels, and focusing solely on a chapter’s internal rules could overlook district-wide or DECA-wide standards.