Academic Technology Review

The ECASD recognizes the integral role technology plays in today’s classrooms. We also understand our responsibility to lead in protecting student data, as demonstrated through our participation in the Wisconsin Student Privacy Alliance.

Through intentional collaboration and streamlined processes, the Academic Technology Team works to build strong district partnerships with vendors. These partnerships ensure that high-quality instructional resources are available to support teaching and learning, while maintaining secure, equitable access to internet-connected technology tools.

Our review process is comprehensive and includes, but is not limited to, iPad applications, gamified learning platforms, computer and laptop software, web-based tools, and browser extensions. We also carefully evaluate any resource that requires or offers the creation of student accounts to ensure compliance with student data privacy standards.

Academic Technology Review Process Flowchart

Academic Technology Definitions

What does this mean for the ECASD?

To maintain compliance with Federal Laws, such as COPPA, CIPA, and FERPA, we will be requesting a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) from all current and prospective partnering vendors that offer products that require the creation of accounts for our students.
ECASD staff can self-evaluate and mediate student access to websites that are blocked for their content by our ContentKeeper filtering categorization. Students will have access to these sites through the recommendation of their teacher to supplement the District-adopted curriculum that our Academic Services team has provided. However, any website that requires or offers student accounts will be subject to the entire review process, which may include requesting DPA signatories. Furthermore, staff may be advised not to create student accounts, if not needed, to be compliant with federal law and district policy.
The Academic Technology Review Team will develop communication and education for District staff to convey the importance of maintaining our students' data privacy, social-emotional well-being, and intellectual growth when requesting technology resources to support the curriculum.

How do I request instructional technology?

To access a blocked website, please complete the Academic Technology Request for Website Unblocks IF they don't offer or require the creation of student accounts.
For iPad apps, Chrome/Edge Extensions, websites that offer or require student accounts or devices, consider these tips for a successful and fast evaluation process as you follow this flow of the request:
- Investigate the resources and vendor through the lens of Student Data Privacy and Personally Identifiable Information protection.
  - It's everyone's job and your duty as a professional.
- Each item on the Request Form is required.
- Consider the scalability of the resources you request.
- Read the privacy policy carefully!
  - Some information is misleading and sometimes genuinely concerning.
- Complete your request by describing, in detail, how classroom implementation may look.
  - You may be asked to add more if necessary/desired.
The Academic Technology Review Team will evaluate the request and decide if it aligns with curriculum and best practice, the District's vision for student data and system security, or a similarly functioning, currently supported tool is available.
Any decision made by the Team will be communicated and documented directly with the request submitter.
- The Academic Technology Team meets every week.
- Website-unblock requests are reviewed within a day/week.

What is COPPA?

The Child Online Protection & Privacy Act (COPPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of children under 13.

Prohibit vendors from accessing and using a child's personally identifiable information (PII).
Parental consent is necessary for the creation of accounts.

What is our District Policy?

Through School-Board policy, rules, and exhibits related to student privacy, the ECASD will only support District-managed elementary and middle-school student accounts through vendors who have a signed and documented Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) to protect our students' data.

Please refer to the links below for further clarification:

How does ContentKeeper work?

ContentKeeper (CK) Cloud, our adopted internet filtering and security client, was implemented after the 2021-22 school year. Policy settings in ContentKeeper create the safest environment for all users, depending on their District classification (Staff, Student, Guest). ContentKeeper can analyze and identify the true nature of a website's content and accurately blocks material and links that have proven harmful and that the old filter (iBoss) wasn't sophisticated enough to understand and fully protect users from accessing.