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 the educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only (105 ILCS 85). To learn more about various important student privacy acts visit the sections below.
Prairie-Hills School District 144 Data Privacy Officer
Federal and State law govern the protection of student data, including school student records and/or covered information. The sale, rental, lease, or trading of any school student records or covered information by the District is prohibited. Protecting such information is important for legal compliance, District operations, and maintaining the trust of District stakeholders, including parents, students and staff. The Board designates the Director of Technology, Mr. Leonard Hill, as Privacy Officer, who shall ensure the District complies with the duties and responsibilities required of it under the Student Online Personal Protection Act, 105 ILCS 85/, amended by P.A. 101-516, eff. 7-1-21.
Parent Rights
Parents have the right to inspect, review, and correct information maintained by the school, operator, and the Illinois State Board of Education. All requests should be directed to Mr. Leonard Hill, Director of Technology at lhill@phsd144.net. Please be sure to include your contact information.
SOPPA Spreadsheet
You can view a list of Prairie-Hills School District approved applications here. This spreadsheet details the vendor name, description of the program, the program’s privacy policy and terms of service, COPPA and FERPA (federal student privacy laws) compliance, link to operator’s privacy agreements with the district, type of personally identifiable data collected, agreement end dates, and approved content areas and grade levels.
The websites in red are not approved for use by students. The websites in grey are not approved pending receipt of IL-NDPA from operators.
Staff Program Requests
Staff can request that a website, program, extension, or app be added to the spreadsheet by completing the form here. Requests are evaluated twice a year in January and June.
Data Breaches
In the event that there is a data breach, Prairie-Hills School District 144 will notify parents via district communication systems within 30 days of a data breach and within 60 days if a third-party is responsible for the data breach.
Important Data Privacy Acts
Student Online Personal Protection Act
(SOPPA)
Guarantees that student data is protected when collected by educational technology companies, and that data is used for beneficial purposes only.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA)
A Federal Law that protects the privacy of a student's education record. Access to student information is restricted.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
(COPPA)
Restricts the collection of personal information from children under 13 by companies operating websites, games, mobile applications, and digital services that are directed towards children.
Children's Internet Protection Act
(CIPA)
Imposes certain requirements on schools that utilize the federal E-Rate program to receive discounts for internet access and other technology services, or that receive federal grants for other technology expenses.
