Resources for Districts
School Districts' Responsibility for Safeguarding Data
All educational organizations have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the privacy and security of education data. Below are some resources for districts to help ensure they are in compliance with state and federal laws and guidance for safeguarding data.
Student Privacy Training Module
A self-paced student privacy training module from Technology Initiatives & Resources.
Note: This module will take approximately 60 to 75 minutes. It works best on a computer browser (not mobile) and you may need to disable your pop-up blocker.
Resources for Working with Vendors
How do you know if the apps you are using protect student privacy? Browse our list of resources to help you sort through strategies for increasing efficiency when vetting apps and strengthening written agreements with vendors.
- Vetting Online Tools: Start with Privacy
- "Ask Before You App" Evaluation Questions
- Sample App Evaluation Google Form (copy to your Google account)
- iKeepSafe Certified Products
- Common Sense Privacy Evaluations
- Student Privacy Pledge Signatories
- Contract Mapping Documentation
- Sample Contract Mapping Diagram
- PTAC Written Agreement Checklist
- SDPC National Data Privacy Agreement
- SDPC National Research Data Privacy Agreement
Privacy Technical Assistance Center
The Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) was established in 2010 to provide resources and guidance for school officials. Supports for PTAC include, but are not limited to: privacy and security training, documentation for best practices, checklists, and technical assistance. Supports provided by PTAC are open directly to schools at no cost. Becoming familiar with PTAC online resources and offerings has the potential to save time, tighten current privacy practices, better protect students' privacy, and avoid possible pitfalls.
- Request PTAC Training or Technical Assistance
- Recorded Webinars and Guidance Documents
- Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Education Services
- FERPA Model Notification of Rights for Elementary & Secondary Schools
- FERPA Model Directory Information Notice (en español)
- PPRA Model General Notice of Rights
- PPRA Model Notice & Consent Opt-Out for Specific Activities
- Written Agreement Checklist
- Model Terms of Service
CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking)
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) develops and provides resources for technology leaders working in schools. Resources available through CoSN are applicable to all levels of district and school administration when learning, planning, or implementing best practices for technology integration. Among CoSN's resources, they provide excellent guidelines and frameworks for districts wanting to be more strategic about their privacy practices. Districts interested in becoming or pursuing the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal are encouraged to contact the DESE Director of Data Use & Privacy.
Future of Privacy Forum
The Future of Privacy Forum is a non-profit that works with organizations and governments to shape best practices and policies in the United States and globally. They issue student privacy resources on their Student Privacy Compass website. The site aims to provide a one-stop shop for education privacy-related resources to all stakeholders in the student privacy conversation: students, parents, educators and education agencies, the edtech industry, and policymakers struggling to grapple with the ever-changing student privacy legal landscape.
Related Links
