East Moline School District takes the privacy of our student's & student data seriously. This page provides information for families regarding the various laws related to Student Privacy and your rights as a parent of a child in East Moline School District.

What is SOPPA?

SOPPA is the Student Online Personal Protection Act and it's intention is to increase transparency, protect student data and protect students. East Moline School District utilizes software vendors to provide and enhance learning opportunities for the students in our District. As such, EMSD & these vendors collect and utilize student data. Information like names, birthdates, etc. may be provided to a third party vendor to conduct it's business and provide it's service. To ensure student data is treated properly, is secure through it's entire path, and is not leaked, we require a Data Protection Agreement between EMSD and the vendor. As part of SOPPA, these companies must enter into Data Privacy Agreements (DPA) with each district they work with. These agreements outline what data is stored, how it is protected, what the company can and cannot do with that data, and what they will do in the event of a data breach.

What are Data Privacy Agreements (DPA)?

East Moline School District utilizes the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), which is an unique collaborative of schools, districts, regional, territories and state agencies, policy makers, trade organizations and marketplace providers addressing real-world, adaptable, and implementable solutions to growing data privacy concerns. If you would like to read more about the SDPC, click here. Through the SDPC we enter into contracts with 3rd party vendors who handle our student's data. If you would like to view the DPAs that EMSD currently holds, please click the following link: EMSD Data Privacy Agreements

The Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) is effective July 1, 2021 and in which it requires all school districts to provide additional securities that student data is protected when collected by educational technology companies and that data is used for beneficial purposes only (105 ILCS 85).

SOPPA Helpful Video: Here

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy interests of students. It affords parents the right to access and amend their children's education records, and gives them some control over the disclosure of the information in these records. FERPA generally prevents an education agency or institution from sharing student records, or personally identifiable information in these records, without the written consent of a parent.

FERPA: More Information

 Imposes certain requirements on schools that utilize the federal E-Rate program to receive discounts for internet access and other technology services, or that receive federal grants for other technology expenses.

CIPA: More Information

 Restricts the collection of personal information from children under 13 by companies operating websites, games, mobile applications, and digital services that are directed to children or that collect personal information from individuals known to be children.

COPPA: More Information

EMSD #37 - Board Policies Policy 7:345: Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy

The Illinois Student Privacy Alliance (ISPA) is a free consortium that allows school districts to access management tools and resources for data privacy agreements. All Illinois school districts are invited to join ISPA. East Moline School District #37 is a member of this alliance. When used in conjunction with clear policies and procedures, ISPA allows districts to comply with Illinois’ new Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA).

EMSD #37 AGREEMENTS

In the event the East Moline School District is made aware of a data breach, information pertaining to the breach will be posted here.