Student Data Privacy

Niles ESD 71 takes the privacy of our student's data seriously. The district strives to be transparent and is working diligently to be compliant with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) which went into effect July 1, 2021.

What is SOPPA?

What happens to the student data that we send to a third party vendor? Information like names, birth dates, etc... may be provided by Niles ESD 71 to a third party like IXL, NWEA MAP, etc... What protections do those companies have in place to make sure that our student's data is not sold or freely given to others? This is exactly what SOPPA looks to address.

As part of SOPPA, these companies 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)

Niles ESD 71 leverages the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), which is an unique collaborative of schools, districts, regional, territories and state agencies, policy makers, trade organizations and marketplace providers addressing real-world, adaptable, and implementable solutions to growing data privacy concerns. If you would like to read more about the SDPC, click here. Through the SDPC we enter into contracts with 3rd party vendors who handle our student's data. If you would like to view the DPAs that Niles ESD 71 current holds, please click the following link: Niles ESD 71 DPAs.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Governs information in a student’s education record, restricting access and use of student information

Data Breaches

Niles ESD 71 will post details here 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.