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, District 45 only collects information that directly relates to school activities and safeguards the privacy of students and confidentiality of student data.

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.

District 45 Technology Policies and Guidelines

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

District 45 adheres to the following applicable laws regarding student data and privacy:

• Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Illinois School Student Records Act (ISSRA)
• Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA)

District 45 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 Superintendent 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

District 45 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 D45 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 District 45 Technology Department. Please email them at [email protected]

Data Breaches

In the event that there is a data breach, District 45 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.