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).

Upcoming Events

Data Privacy Events

Share Your Story, Your Way: Building your Classroom, Club, or School Brand

| $40

Branding is everywhere – in the products you buy and the content you consume online. Having an effective brand helps companies share their story, connect with their audience, and achieve their goals. But branding isn’t just for graphic designers and CEOs – educators can create their own personal brand to connect with their students and tell the stories of their classrooms and schools.

Ben Sondgeroth
Ben Sondgeroth
Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center

Building and Utilizing Coaching Data Dashboards

| Free

Learn to use Forms, Sheets, Slides, Sites, and Data Studio (plus a few add-ons) to build efficient, customized data collection and display systems. Provide coaching summaries to teachers, collect statistics for team meetings, and develop reports for admins and school boards – all using apps and tools you’re already familiar with.

Eric Santos
Eric Santos
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Chicagoland, Learning Technology Center

Supporting Students’ Social-Emotional Learning and Digital Well-Being

| Free

Join us as we explore several evidence-based lessons designed to help students build agency, reduce anxious thoughts, and increase mindfulness related to their tech habits.

Jennifer Ehehalt
Jennifer Ehehalt
Sr. Regional Manager, Common Sense Education