Data Privacy

The ECASD collaborates with companies that offer online educational services to support instruction. Examples include Canvas, Clever, ParentSquare, Seesaw, and Discovery Education. To protect student data, ECASD requires a signed Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) for any resource that involves the exchange of student information, ensuring the safe and secure handling of Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

A Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) is a contract between schools and educational technology (EdTech) companies that helps protect students' personal information. When students use apps, websites, or other digital tools for learning, those tools might collect data like names, emails, or grades. A DPA makes sure that companies handle this data safely, do not share it with others without permission, and follow privacy laws like FERPA (which protects student records) and COPPA (which protects kids' online privacy). This helps keep student information secure and prevents misuse.

Click Here to See a Sample of the ECASD DPA

See Signed DPA

	The Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) is a group that helps schools and EdTech companies create and follow privacy agreements more easily. Instead of every school making its own rules, SDPC provides a standard agreement that schools and companies can use. This saves time and ensures that all student data is protected in the same way. Schools across the country use SDPC to make sure the technology they use is safe for students. In Wisconsin, schools work together through the Wisconsin Data Privacy Alliance (WDPA). This group helps Wisconsin schools follow student privacy laws and find safe, approved learning tools. WDPA also works with SDPC to make sure schools have clear rules for protecting student data. By using these agreements, Wisconsin schools can safely use technology in classrooms while keeping students' personal information private.

	Future of Privacy Forum is a site dedicated to raising awareness in data privacy and providing valuable resources. NEW: Student Privacy Communications Toolkit: Looking for a way to help engage your community on the importance of student data privacy? The FPF recently created a toolkit to assist.

	COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) is a law that protects the personal information of children under 13 when they use websites, apps, and online services. It requires companies to get permission from parents before collecting data like names, emails, or locations. The goal of COPPA is to keep kids’ information safe and prevent companies from using it in ways that could harm them.

	FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a law that protects student education records, like grades, attendance, and disciplinary records. It gives parents (and students, once they turn 18) the right to see these records and control who can access them. Schools must get permission before sharing student records with outside organizations, helping keep student information private and secure.