INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

As part of District 96’s commitment to protecting student data privacy, we want to inform you about the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) and how it affects the use of educational technology in our schools.

What is SOPPA?

SOPPA (105 ILCS 85/) is a state law that protects student data collected by educational technology companies. It ensures that student information is used only for beneficial educational purposes and that companies must take proper security measures to protect this data.

How Does This Impact Our Students?

School districts partner with educational technology vendors to enhance learning experiences, improve school operations, and provide innovative digital resources. Under SOPPA, these vendors—known as operators—must comply with strict data privacy and security requirements.

As part of our compliance with SOPPA, District 96:

  • Only shares necessary student data with educational technology vendors for educational purposes.
  • Requires signed agreements with all vendors to ensure data security and compliance.
  • Provides parents with access to information about the educational technology tools we use.

View Our Approved Vendors

We maintain a public list of all educational technology vendors we use, along with their SOPPA-compliant agreements. You can review this list here.

Your Rights Under SOPPA

As a parent/guardian, you have the right to:

  • Inspect and review your child’s personal information collected by the district or its vendors.
  • Request corrections to any inaccurate student data.
  • Be notified of any data breaches affecting your child’s information.