Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
Student Data Privacy
Argo Community High School District 217 takes the privacy of our student's data seriously. This page intends to make transparent and is working diligently to be compliant with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) when it goes into effect July 1, 2021.
What is SOPPA?
SOPPA is a state law that governs and protects the privacy and security of student data when it is shared with and collected by educational technology companies. SOPPA regulates these companies who provide web-based sites, services, online and mobile applications that are used primarily for K to 12 purposes.
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 that data, and what they will do in the event of a data breach.
What are Data Privacy Agreements (DPA)?
Argo Community High School District 217 leverages the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), which is an unique collaborative of schools, districts, regional, territories and state agencies, policy makers, 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 third party vendors who handle our student's data. If you would like to view the DPAs that Argo Community High School District 217 currently holds, please click the following link: Argo Community High School District 217 DPAs
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 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.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Governs information in a student’s education record, restricting access and use of student information
Data Breaches
Argo Community High School District 217 will post details here about data breaches involving 10% or more of the District's students, including the number of students whose covered information was involved in the breach, date of breach (or estimate) and operator name.
