Student Data Privacy

  • soppa

     

    Student data is protected through comprehensive privacy policies and security measures such as firewalls, secure servers, intrusion detection software, and other methods. 


    Effective July 1, 2021, school districts will be required by the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) to provide additional guarantees that student data is protected when collected by the educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only (105 ILCS 85).  In compliance, McHenry School District 15 only collects information that directly relates to school activities and safeguards the privacy of students and confidentiality of student data.  

SOPPA Requirements

  • SOPPA requires that school districts must:
    • Enter into written agreements with all K-12 service providers who collect student data.  Covered data includes, but is not limited to: information in the student's educational record, first/last name, address, phone number, email address, grades, test results, socioeconomic information, photos, search activity, voice recordings, geolocation information, and more. 
    • Implement and maintain reasonable security practices.  Student data is protected through comprehensive privacy policies and security measures such as firewalls, secure servers, intrusion detection software, and other methods.  Written agreements with vendors require that the vendor also maintains security procedures.
    • Post a list of operators.  This list will include what data elements are shared, written agreements/contracts with the operator within 10 days of signing, & subcontractors for each operator.

McHenry School District 15 Technology Policies & Guidelines

    • 6:235 Access to Electronic Networks and Acceptable Use Policy
    • 7:345 Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security

McHenry School District 15 adheres to the following applicable laws regarding student data

McHenry School District 15 Data Privacy Officer

  • Federal and State law govern the protection of student data, including school student records and/or covered information. The sale, rental, lease, or trading of any school student records or covered information by the District is prohibited. Protecting such information is important for legal compliance, District operations, and maintaining the trust of District stakeholders, including parents, students and staff. The Board designates the Assistant Director of Technology to serve as Privacy Officer, who shall ensure the District complies with the duties and responsibilities required of it under the Student Online Personal Protection Act, 105 ILCS 85/, amended by P.A. 101-516, eff. 7-1-21.

District-approved Web-based Tools/Applications and Written Agreements

  • McHenry School District 15 values your child's privacy and strives to ensure that parents are aware of what web-based tools and applications are being used for educational purposes.  A list of D15's approved web-based tools, written agreements with operators, and a list of data elements shared can be found and reviewed here.

Parent Rights

  • Parents have the right to inspect, review, and correct information maintained by the school, operator, and the Illinois State Board of Education.  All requests should be directed to the Assistant Director of Technology by emailing soppa@d15.org or calling 779-244-1070.  

     

Data Breaches

  • In the event that there is a data breach, McHenry School District 15 will notify parents via district communication systems within 30 days of a data breach and within 60 days if a third-party is responsible for the data breach.