Student Data Privacy

Student Online Personal Protection Act is a consistent goal within District 103 to provide a safe environment for all stakeholders. As of July 1, 2021, the Student Online Personal Protection Act, or SOPPA, goes into effect in the State of Illinois. The main purpose of the SOPPA law is to make sure that student data is not misused. This law requires that education institutions, such as District 103, have student data privacy agreements signed and in place with every company we contract with that has access to student data.

For example, PowerSchool has quite a bit of student data in it, including names, addresses, grades, etc. Because of this, District 103 is required, under SOPPA, to obtain a signed contract that states PowerSchool will protect student data, not misuse/sell it, and inform us of any data breaches in a timely fashion. Though most companies do have privacy terms that address the protection of student data, the new law requires certain universal language be used to address student data privacy.

If there is a digital tool that you would like to use that is not currently on the approved resource list, please use the D103 Staff FMX platform to request approval. If you’d like guidance on how to navigate to the request form, please use these digital tool instructions. Please note that we will only be able to approve digital tools from vendors that are SOPPA compliant. Requests for approval will be addressed every two weeks while school is in session, and multiple times over the summer.