Student Data Privacy SOPPA

  • Palatine CCSD15 takes the privacy of our students’ data seriously—it is our legal and ethical obligation to protect students and their data.

    What is SOPPA?

    Effective July 1, 2021, school districts will be required by the Student Online Personal Protection Act, or SOPPA, to provide certain guarantees that student data is protected when collected by educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only (105 ILCS 85) as stated in the Act’s Legislative Intent. SOPPA regulates student data collection and use by schools, the Illinois State Board of Education, and third-party vendors. As part of SOPPA, these vendors must enter into Data Privacy Agreements (DPA) with each district they work with. These agreements outline what data is stored, how it is protected, what the company can and cannot do with that data, and what they will do in the event of a data breach.

    Data Privacy Agreements (DPA)

    District 15 has partnered with LearnPlatform to provide a public facing website where parents can easily view operators of online services and corresponding data privacy agreements. 

    Palatine CCSD15 Apps Library

    Data Breaches 

    District 15 will post details about data breaches involving 10% or more of the District's students, including the number of students whose covered information was involved in the breach, date of breach (or estimate) and operator name.

    Important Data Privacy Laws

    Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA):

    Guarantees that student data is protected when collected by educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only.

    https://youtu.be/fpp6amnsSmo

    Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA):

    Restricts the collection of personal information from children under 13 by companies operating websites, games, mobile applications, and digital services that are directed to children or that collect personal information from individuals known to be children.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwy5mNuXdFA

    Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA):

    Imposes certain requirements on schools that utilize the federal E-Rate program to receive discounts for internet access and other technology services, or that receive federal grants for other technology expenses.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmO-Uw9_ta4

    Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):

    Governs information in a student’s education record, restricting access and use of student information.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhlDkS8hvMU

    Role of Parents

    Parents are partners in the protection of children and their data online. Below are some helpful resources that help parents navigate their children's online safety, privacy, security, and digital wellness.

    Parent Guides from ConnectSafely

    Links to more information

     

    SOPPA and ISBE Mandates

    Your student's data may be transferred to some companies due to assessment mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education. ISBE is responsible for obtaining Data Privacy Agreements with these companies and making those DPAs available to families. At this time, this list is unavailable. When it does become available, we will link to it here. Examples of these resources would include PSAT and IAR testing.

    ISBE DPAs (link currently unavailable)