Online Instructional Tools and Student Privacy
At Sunol Glen School, we use a variety of digital tools and resources to help our students learn and grow. Many of these tools are apps, websites, and electronic databases that allow us to store and access important information. Our students will use these digital tools in the classroom and for homework assignments. These resources are a big part of our educational program, helping students think critically, collaborate with peers and teachers, create content, and explore lessons based on the Common Core State Standards. Some of these tools may store personal and confidential information.
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As a small school, Sunol Glen School takes the privacy and security of our students and families very seriously. We are committed to protecting personal information and have taken steps to keep students’ data safe both within and outside of our network.
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We’ve put safeguards in place to protect students' personally identifiable information (PII) when it’s stored on our systems. This includes securing the data while it’s on our servers, during its transfer, and limiting access to it to staff who need it to support students' education.
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When we work with outside service providers, we ensure they have strong security measures in place for the servers that store our students' PII. This is part of our responsibility under California Education Code 49073.1 (AB1584), which requires contracts with service providers to outline specific data protection protocols. You can view these contracts on the California Student Data Privacy Alliance website (this site is updated regularly).
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We also require our service providers to follow security standards similar to our own to ensure that no unauthorized parties access students’ PII. Additionally, these providers must comply with privacy laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act).​
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COPPA and FERPA Compliance
COPPA mandates that third-party service providers obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13. Under this law, our school district can provide consent on behalf of all students, eliminating the need for individual consent from parents. COPPA also gives parents the right to opt their child out of online services.​
FERPA provides parents or guardians the right to inspect their student's records, including the PII stored in electronic systems. If you have concerns about your child’s use of online tools, we encourage you to speak with your school’s principal or teachers to learn more about how these systems are used and to inspect the stored information.​
If you are a parent or guardian and would prefer your child not to use certain electronic tools that store PII, you can opt-out by submitting a form available in the Student & Family Handbook. Please note that opting out may require your child to complete an alternative assignment, which will differ from the work given to other students. While we encourage the use of these tools to enhance a 21st-century learning experience, we recommend discussing any concerns with your principal or teachers before making the decision to opt-out.
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