Focus Area

Data Privacy

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

Consulting, resources, and support

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.

Services
Resources
Events
Articles
Professional Learning

Be Connected Series

Monthly
Free

A weekly webinar series hosted by the LTC’s Technology Services Team.

Professional Learning

IETC Conference

November
$175+

The Illinois Education and Technology Conference, held annually in Springfield, brings together educators and tech experts to explore innovative teaching methods and leverage technology for enhanced learning statewide.

Network

LTC Online Community

Free

A free online community for educators, admin, and technology leaders.

Network

Networking Meetings

Free

Connect, learn, and share with your colleagues from around the state at both in-person and virtual networking events.

SDPC Add-On Service

$550/year

Professional Learning

SecurED Schools

Secured Schools is the LTC’s annual virtual cybersecurity and data privacy conference, aimed at bolstering security measures within K12 school systems.

Service

Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC)

Free

Join SDPC to manage data privacy agreements in accordance with SOPPA.

Professional Learning

SummIT

Summer
$100

A summer technology conference for IT leaders and support staff.

Consulting

Technology Consulting

Free

Free IT consulting and technical assistance to district leadership and technology teams.

Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal Program

Free

Guidance

Legislative Brief: Student Data Privacy Laws to Know

Under state and federal law, Illinois schools are legally required to keep student data secure and safe. 

This legislative brief provides a summary of several relevant privacy laws, including how they may impact school operations.

Checklist

District Website Checklist

The District Website Checklist is a component of the more extensive Legal Reference Guide published by the Learning Technology Center and is designed to assist school districts in navigating the landscape of legal obligations.

Best Practices

CISA K-12 Cybersecurity Recommendations & Toolkit

This report, created by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, provides recommendations and resources to help K-12 schools and school districts address systemic cybersecurity risk.

Best Practices Report

Protecting Our Future: Partnering to Safeguard K–12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats

This report, created by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, provides recommendations and resources to help K-12 schools and school districts address systemic cybersecurity risk.

Resource Collections Standards

What Is Data Privacy?

When you think of privacy, what comes to mind? Closing your window shades? Keeping your phone screen locked? Shutting the door when you have a sensitive conversation?

We do all of these things to preserve our privacy, but it is important to know exactly what we’re talking about when we say “privacy.” And it is important to know that privacy means something very specific when it comes to your digital life, because it revolves around your rights to protect your personal data.

Resource Collections Standards

6 Ways To Help Employees Be Privacy Aware

Teach your employees how to update their privacy and security settings on their devices and promote awareness about privacy, safeguard data and enable trust throughout the workplace with these tips.
pieces of data. This data tells the story of you.

Resource Collections Standards

How To Be A Data Snob

Data privacy might seem like an abstract concept, but it couldn’t be more personal. You generate a long scroll of data every time you access the internet, and sometimes when you don’t – your home address, health records, and Social Security are all technically

pieces of data. This data tells the story of you.

Resource Collections Standards

Data: The Story of You – Infographic

Ever wonder how important your data is for large companies? Well this infographic will show you what percentage of people care about their data and how many are unable to protect their data effectively.

Resource Collections Standards

Respect Customer Privacy Infographic

Here’s an infographic on how important customers data privacy really is, from what percentage of consumers appreciate that companies gives them control over what information is collected about them to what percentage wanted a greater transparency on how a company is using their data.

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 to all Illinois School Districts.

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 contracting and set common expectations between schools/districts and marketplace providers.

Guidance

Sample Communications when using IL-NDPA

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

Report

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 Attorneys’ (ICSA) workgroup of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).

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.

Guidance

Managing Agreements with ISPA

LTC Resource sharing a workflow for the management of data privacy agreements for SOPPA.

Guidance

Using ISPA to Comply with SOPPA

LTC Resource sharing a workflow for managing SOPPA in your District.

Guidance

Getting Started with SOPPA

LTC Resource sharing information about getting started with SOPPA.

Best Practices

FERPA, PPRA Model Forms and Notifications

The U.S. Department of Education’s model forms for FERPA and PPRA.

Illinois Education and Technology Conference 2024 (IETC)

Nov 13, 2024
325

Learn, collaborate, and connect with fellow edtech enthusiasts and leaders during a multi-day professional learning experience ideal for collaborating one-on-one with peers and forging meaningful connections.

Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

SecurED Schools

Jan 28, 2025
40

Join fellow K-12 technology leaders and staff for a full day of collaborative learning focused on cybersecurity and data privacy – all led by peers and industry experts with experience in today’s educational technology environment.

Duane Shaffer
Duane Shaffer
Director of Technology Services, Learning Technology Center
Data Privacy

Strengthening Student Data Privacy with CoSN’s Trusted Learning Environment Program

Starting now, Illinois school districts can get free data privacy guidance through CoSN’s Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal program.

Networking Professional Learning

2023 Education Conferences for Teachers, Administrators & Coaches

No matter your role in education and technology, conferences remain one of the best places to explore new strategies, discover new resources, and connect with peers. Check out all of these note-worthy edtech conferences coming up in 2023!

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 help your staff and students better understand their role in keeping educational networks secure.