Student Data Privacy

This page intends to be transparent and District 117 has worked diligently to comply with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (COPPA) when it went into effect on July 1, 2021.

What is SOPPA?

What happens to the student data we send to a third-party vendor? Information like names, birthdates, etc., may be provided by Community High School District 117 to a third party like GoGuardian, NWEA MAP, etc. What protections do those companies have to ensure that our student's data is not sold or freely given to others? This is precisely what SOPPA looks to address. As part of SOPPA, these companies must enter into Data Privacy Agreements (DPA) with each district they work with. These agreements outline what data is stored, how it is protected, what the company can and cannot do with it, and what it will do in case of a data breach.

What are Data Privacy Agreements (DPA)?

Community High School District 117 leverages the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), 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. If you would like to read more about the SDPC, click here. Through the SDPC, we enter into contracts with 3rd party vendors who handle our student's data. If you would like to view the DPAs that Community High School District 117 currently holds, please click the following link: District 117 Data Privacy Agreements.

Important Data Privacy Laws

  • 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.

  • 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 to children or that collect personal information from individuals known to be children.

  • Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA): Imposes specific requirements on schools that utilize the federal E-Rate program to receive discounts for internet access and other technology services or federal grants for other technology expenses.

  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Governs information in a student's education record, restricting access and use of student information 

Director of Technology: Ryan Miles

District 117 is committed to providing its students, teachers, and staff with state-of-the-art technology equipment and integration to enhance teaching and learning within District 117.

Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary for today's technology-centric world, and teachers will be able to engage and interact with their students in a technology-rich environment. In addition, our commitment to being at the forefront of technology will allow staff to support students and communicate effectively with their parents and guardians to ignite passion and discovery in every student.

Examples of technology that D117 Technology Staff supports:

  • Chromebooks for every student

  • Google Apps for Education

  • Interactive White Boards

  • Multiple technology labs and collaborative spaces

  • Wi-Fi with numerous access points that provide fast internet coverage for the entire building and outdoor campus

  • Network-integrated systems such as copiers and wireless display system

  • More than 3,000 desktops and mobile devices

  • Infinite Campus for grades & attendance

  • District website and Intranet