Tecumseh Local Schools

At Tecumseh Local Schools, we prioritize the privacy and security of student data in compliance with Senate Bill 29 (SB29). This legislation outlines clear guidelines for how student information is collected, used, and protected. Below is a brief explanation of key terms and how we safeguard your child’s data.

What is Student Data Privacy?

Student data privacy refers to protecting the personal information schools collect about students while ensuring it is used responsibly and only for educational purposes.

What is A Student Data Privacy Agreement (SDPA)?

An SDPA is an agreement between your child’s school district and any online resource providers the district utilizes which handles student information. Think of this agreement as an extra layer of protection for your child’s digital school backpack. This backpack may contain grades, attendence records, and work they have created.

The agreement ensures these online resource providers agree to the following:

• Keep your child’s information safe and secure: Providers must have good security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access.
• Only use the information for educational purposes: Providers can not use the information to target your child with ads or other non-school related reasons.
• Not sell your child’s information: Provdiers can not sell any information.
• Follow privacy laws: Providers must follow rules set by FERPA, COPPA, and CIPA to protect the privacy of student records.
• Tell the school if there’s a data breach: Providers MUST notify the district if something goes wrong and data has been exposed.

What is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?

PII refers to any information that can identify an individual student, either on its own or when combined with other data. Examples include:

• Full name
• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Address
• Student ID numbers

Key Aspects of SB29

• Purpose of Data Collection: Student data is collected strictly for educational purposes, such as tracking academic progress, providing support services, or complying with state and federal reporting requirements.
• Data Use Limitations: SB29 ensures that student data is not shared for marketing or commercial purposes.
• Parental Rights: Parents have the right to review and request corrections to their child’s records. 
• Security Measures: Schools are required to implement strict security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to student information.

Additional Terms to Know

• FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): A federal law that grants parents the right to access their child’s educational records and protects the confidentiality of student information.
• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule): A federal law that protects the online privacy of children under 13. COPPA requires websites and online services to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children.
• CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act): A federal law aimed at protecting children from harmful content on the internet.
• DPA (Data Privacy Agreement): A legal document between an organization and a customer which establishes the terms of how personal data will be used and protected.

How we Protect Your Child’s Data

At Tecumseh Local Schools, we use secure data storage solutions and restricted access protocols to ensure your child’s information remains safe. Our staff is trained in data privacy best practices, and we work with trusted educational technology providers who comply with SB29 requirements. For a list of Tecumseh Local Schools Digital Resources compliance information please see the SDPA Resources link under Helpful Links.