Focus Area

Data Privacy

Resources, professional learning, services, and support for helping districts protect student and mission-critical data.

Supporting school districts with student data privacy issues and SOPPA implementation

Securing and managing mission-critical data is not a one-person job. That’s why the Learning Technology Center provides support for implementing the latest data security protocols and complying with state and federal mandates, including SOPPA.

Our team stays at the forefront of K-12 data privacy and security innovations. Through our one-on-one consultations, events, and resources, we can put that knowledge to work for you by creating productive workflows and data management solutions for your district.

Data Privacy Laws

Overview

Today’s education-focused technologies enable the easy and often unseen transfer of student data from one system to another. In Illinois, school districts and staff are now responsible for understanding how student data is handled in order to comply with relevant state and federal laws.

Overview of Illinois Student Data Privacy Laws

Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA)

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 educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only (105 ILCS 85).

Today’s education-focused technologies enable the easy and often unseen transfer of student data from one system to another. In Illinois, school districts and staff are now responsible for understanding how student data is handled in order to comply with relevant state and federal laws.

Overview of Illinois Student Data Privacy Laws

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 educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only (105 ILCS 85).

Services

Data Privacy Services

Free and low-cost services and trainings geared toward boosting institutional data privacy standards and responding to the latest data privacy threats.

Consultations

Technology Consultation

CooperativeDatabase

Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC)

Professional Learning

Be Connected Series

Professional Learning Network

Illinois EdTech Networks

Professional Learning Network

LTC Community

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Resources

Data Privacy Resources

Guidance and best practices for securing student data at an institutional level and adhering to data privacy mandates.

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Organizations

Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC)

Learn more about the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC). The LTC is the Alliance Member of the SDPC providing access to SDPC resources such as the IL-NDPA and the database for managing data privacy agreements

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Tools and Apps

Sample Communications when using IL-NDPA

LTC resource for communicating with vendors about SOPPA and the IL-NDPA.

Organizations

Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) National Data Privacy Agreement (NDPA) Press Release

The Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), a special interest group of the non-profit Access 4 Learning (A4L) Community, is proud to announce the release of the first National Data Privacy Agreement (NDPA) to streamline application

Illinois-National Data Privacy Agreement v1.0a (IL-NDPA)

The IL-NDPA is a data privacy agreement that has been created at a national level by the Student Data Privacy Consortium and customized at a State of Illinois level by the Illinois Council of School

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Tools and Apps

Checklist for using the IL-NDPA – Originating or Subscribing

This checklist gives tips and suggestions on the best ways of using the IL-NDPA in combination with the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) database.

National Data Privacy Agreement + Illinois Exhibit

The National Data Privacy Agreement (NDPA) streamlines application contracting and sets common expectations between schools/districts and marketplace providers. The LTC created an Illinois-specific exhibit that modifies the NDPA for use in Illinois, making it compliant

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Upcoming Events

Data Privacy Events

E-Rate 470 Workshop – Litchfield

| Free

Learn and complete the first phase of your E-Rate application with an E-Rate expert on hand! This 3-hour session will cover basic E-Rate program rules, eligible items, and the process required to complete the first E-Rate form of the year, Form 470.

Mindy Fiscus
Mindy Fiscus
Director of Government Affairs, Learning Technology Center
Additional Details

ROE #53 Tech Networking Meeting

| Free

Join your fellow area technology coordinators, directors, administrators, and tech coaches as we discuss shared experiences, questions, and ideas relating to edtech topics and trends. While each meeting may open with a guest or demonstration, participant contributions and concerns will drive each month’s conversation.

Lisa Schwartz
Lisa Schwartz
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | West Central Region, Learning Technology Center
Additional Details

ROE 47 Technology Round Table

| Free

Join us for an open discussion on current educational technology topics and trends. This networking meeting is open to all educational technology positions including technology directors, instructional technology coaches, teachers, and any other positions interested in discussing the current state of technology in our schools.

Ben Sondgeroth
Ben Sondgeroth
Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center
Additional Details
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From Our Blog

Learn more about data privacy

Recent blog posts covering new data privacy guidance, resources, and best practices.

Cybersecurity

4 Cybersecurity Tips for School Staff & Students

Each October, the US recognizes Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a multi-week opportunity for everyone – including K-12 school districts – to recommit themselves to protecting digital networks and data. Here are a few quick tips to

Eric Muckensturm
Eric Muckensturm
Cybersecurity Specialist, Learning Technology Center
Classroom IntegrationNetworkingProfessional LearningTechnology Infrastructure

Discover New Possibilities @ IETC 2022

New location, new events, and limitless new possibilities – that’s what’s in store for IETC 2022. Discover fresh ways to support classroom integration, develop robust technology environments, and harness edtech’s full potential during 3 keynotes,

LTC Staff
LTC Staff
Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
Technology Policies and Leadership

School Law Update: Top Tech Issues for the 2022-23 School Year

Hey, school administrators! The new school year is just around the corner, making now a great time to brush up on some of the legal issues facing education and technology right now. Check out this

Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center
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