Data Privacy

Summit School District values and protects the privacy of our students and takes our obligation seriously to protect their data as it is collected, used, shared and stored.

There are an unlimited number of online and digital resources that can help students and teachers expand learning. Many of these tools are great additions to the classroom but some can put staff, students, and the district at risk. SSD has created a process to vet software and digital tools used throughout the District to ensure that student Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is protected and that SSD staff are in compliance with Privacy Laws.

This webpage provides accountability and transparency with whom data is shared, as well as the state and federal policies SSD adheres to, data privacy and security procedures, and guidance and resources.

What is Student Data Privacy?

There are an unlimited number of online and digital resources that can help students and teachers expand learning but some can put staff, students, and the district at risk.

SSD values and protects the privacy of our students and how their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is collected, used, shared and stored.

What is PII? According to the Colorado Student Data Transparency & Security Act, PII is, "information that, alone or in combination, personally identifies an individual student or the student?s parent or family, and that is collected, maintained, generated, or inferred by a public education entity, either directly or through a school service, or by a school service contract provider or on-demand provider."

The Objective: Being transparent with parents about the tools used in your classroom so families are aware of how their students' data is being shared.
SSD has created a process for staff to vet digital tools used to ensure that student PII is protected and that SSD staff are in compliance with Privacy Laws. As partners, we can continue to build trust with our parents by proactively communicating what technology tools are being used in your classroom and what you are doing to protect student data.

All SSD Staff are responsible for student data privacy.
To be in Compliance:
First, staff must vet the tools being used for privacy compliance.
Then, staff must report usage of the resource, including the name of the tool, link to the website, instructional intent, and compliance.

Click for printable version.

Staff: Report use of a Digital Resource

SSD staff are responsible for reviewing and reporting use of any digital resources that they will be directing students to access.

If you decide to have students use a new technology, website or digital tool, please refer to the following process for the resource:

DIGITAL RESOURCE VETTING & REPORTING PROCESS

When am I supposed to follow the Vetting & Reporting process? If you direct students to use any digital resources, websites, online tools, software, apps, extensions, etc, you must follow the process linked above.

What happens after I submit my request? After you (1)vet the digital resource and (2)report use of the resource, you may use the resource responsibly keeping Acceptable Use in mind. The resource may go through a review process.

Vendor Lists & Approved Technology

APPROVED DPA VENDOR LIST

The Approved DPA Vendor List provides the names of vendors who have signed a Data Protection Addendum (DPA). We require that vendors sign the DPA if they have a negotiated contract.

Negotiated Vendor List

In addition to contracts that the district initiates, there are contracts that impact SSD due to agreements and contracts negotiated by the Colorado Department of Education. For a list of current and expired contracts that involve Personally Identifiable Information (PII) you can visit their website.

CDE also collects student data from students across Colorado. A list of what type of data is collected as well as how the information is used is available.

ON DEMAND SERVICE PROVIDERS

Many teachers use digital tools/software that is free and available through online educational resources. A click-through tool is a free online tool that allows you to sign up with a SSD email or "log-in with Google" to use the tool and do not require a DPA.

Want to learn more about Data Privacy?

Other Resources:

ConnectSafely | Educator's Guide to Student Data Privacy
CommonSenseMedia | Privacy Training