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Digital Instructional Resources and Student Privacy

Digital instructional resources improve student engagement and achievement through access to powerful learning opportunities and are essential in Palmdale School District's PROMISE goals. These tools help create globally competitive learning environments of high intellectual performance across the curriculum and in all areas required for 21st-century success for students. They also provide the opportunity to develop high levels of multilingual and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) competencies. Additionally, they grant access to valuable online resources and databases that would otherwise be out of reach. Palmdale School District is committed to safeguarding in accordance with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act).
The Palmdale School District is deeply committed to upholding the laws and contracts that protect student data privacy. The contracts entered into with education technology service providers contain language that requires companies to implement security protocols to protect students’ personally identifiable information and comply with state (California Education Code 49073.1 (AB1584)) and federal data privacy laws.

Privacy Law

504 - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . ."
 
ADA - Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act Under Title II of the ADA people with disabilities must have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from state and local governments’ programs, services, and activities.
 
California Education Code § 49073.1 requires vendors contracted by districts to have contracts in place guaranteeing compliance with security and privacy restrictions.
 
California Government Code § 7405 (Gov. Code 7405) State governmental entities, in developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic or information technology, either indirectly or through the use of state funds by other entities, shall comply with the accessibility requirements of Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794d), and regulations implementing that act as set forth in Part 1194 of Title 36 of the Federal Code of Regulations.
 
CIPA - The Children's Internet Protection Act The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet.
 
COPPA - The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act COPPA imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
 
FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
 
SOPIPA - Student Online Personal Information Protection Act The law is unique in that it puts responsibility for protecting student data directly on industry by expressly prohibiting education technology service providers from selling student data, using that information to advertise to students or their families, or "amassing a profile" on students to be used for noneducational purposes. In addition, the law requires online service providers to ensure that any data they collect is secure and to delete student information at the request of a school or district.
The CSDPA is a contract reviewed and approved by districts, vendors, PTAC, and the California Attorney General. Once signed, it becomes the statewide agreement for all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in California. The Palmdale School District is an LEA and is covered by the current agreements in the searchable California Student Data Privacy Alliance and is a part of the consortium.
As highlighted earlier, COPPA requires third-party service providers to inform parents and obtain their consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. The Under13 document contains a list of apps used in certain Palmdale School District classrooms that necessitate parental notification in accordance with COPPA. However, it's important to note that this list does not encompass all online subscriptions or applications used in the district. Subscriptions for assessment tools, data management, and core content that are supported by the district have legal agreements in place to ensure compliance with data privacy regulations. Additionally, apps intended for secondary students and those that do not gather student data or require student accounts may not be listed as they do not fall under COPPA regulations.