Student Data Privacy
Protecting student data is a priority for the Seneca Township High School District and of the utmost importance. Student data is protected through a comprehensive set of privacy policies, Illinois school laws, network security, and staff training, all of which are outlined in the sections below.
Student Online Personal Protection ACT (SOPPA)
Effective July 1, 2021, Illinois school districts will be required by the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) to provide guarantees that student data is protected when used by educational technology companies, and that data is used for educationally beneficial purposes only (105 ILCS 85). The following page provides information on the specific requirements and how Seneca Township High School District 160 is meeting these requirements.
The Learning Technology Center has created a useful video that highlights what SOPPA is and how it benefits school districts:
Requirements for Seneca Township High School
Data Privacy Officer
Dan Stecken will serve as Seneca Township High Schools data privacy officer.
Post Parental Rights Regarding the Review of Student Personal Data
If parents are concerned about how their student's data is getting used they can contact the school at SOPPA@senecahs.org.
District Requirements
- Annually post a list of all operators of online services or applications utilized by the district.
- Annually post all data elements that the school collects, maintains, or discloses to any entity. This information must also explain how the school uses the data, and to whom and why it discloses the data.
- Post contracts for each operator within 10 days of signing.
- Annually post subcontractors for each operator.
- Post the process for how parents can exercise their rights to inspect, review, and correct information maintained by the school, operator, or ISBE.
- Post data breaches within 10 days and notify parents within 30 days.
- Create a policy for who can sign contracts with operators.
- Designate a privacy officer to ensure compliance.
- Maintain reasonable security procedures and practices. Agreements with vendors in which information is shared must include a provision that the vendor maintains reasonable security procedures and practices.
Seneca Township High School Data Privacy Agreements (DPA)
Seneca Township High School uses the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) to manage all of its DPA'S. The SDPC Resource Registry has been developed to provide a framework for identifying solutions that have an on-the-ground and real-world impact on student data privacy enabling schools, districts, state, and vendors to find resources, adapt them to their unique context and implement needed protections. The Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) is a unique collaborative of schools, districts, regional, territories and state agencies, policymakers, trade organizations, and marketplace providers addressing real-world, adaptable, and implementable solutions to growing data privacy concerns. The Consortium also leverages work done by numerous partner organizations but focuses on issues being faced by “on-the-ground” practitioners. You can find more info here.
You can access our district's DPA'S here.
State and Federal Data Security Policies
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)
Additional Links and Information
Parent Guides to Student's Online Safety