The Sequoia Union High School District uses the process included on this page for technology app and program requests.

Data Privacy

The overarching reason for this process is to ensure we are only using apps that maintain the safety and security of our students' online data.  This is an important responsibility for all of us.  Ultimately, each of us is liable if we don't take proper precautions.  

When using technology apps and tools, especially free web tools, it is important to make sure that they are safe for our students, and that we are in compliance with student data privacy laws such as COPPA, SOPIPA, and FERPA.  For more information about student data privacy law, please check out this post from Common Sense Education.

California Education Code Section 49073.1

A third party who enters into a contract with an LEA for digital educational software or services, and/or for the digital storage, management, and retrieval of pupil records, must agree to contractual provisions related to student data privacy.

Data Privacy & Safety

Some of the main areas we look for in terms of data privacy are whether or not the tool collects data and what the vendor does with the data.  We also look to see if a tool hosts ads.

The following are red flags that will likely lead to a request getting denied due to data privacy concerns:

• Collecting user information for targeted advertisements

• Ads hosted on the platform, itself

• Privacy policy is hard to find

• Students not allowed to use school email to create accounts

• Age restrictions

• Social media

• Use of student images

Often, free tools and apps are the most risky.  If a site is not asking for money to use it, that means they are likely selling user data to make a profit.

The general steps for the tech adoption process are outlined below.  

1. Check to see if the tool you want to use is already approved.  Please check the lists included on this page to see if your tool is already included.  

2. Discuss the app or program you wish to use with your department chair.  They may know of an existing tool already in use that fits the same needs.  As well, this opens the conversation among department members about new and exciting instructional strategies.

3. Once you're ready to submit your request, please use the Tech Adoption Request Form included here.

Please first check to see if the tool you want to use is already approved.  Please check this list of larger district adoptions as well as this list of in-process and approved requests.  Both lists can also be found by scrolling down on this page.

Please note, district-adopted tools, such as adopted online textbook resources are automatically approved through their adoption process.  This includes tools such as Read 180, Big Ideas, etc.  Also pre-approved are any tools provided to an entire site or district, such as Canvas, Google Workspace, and IC.

Requesting Limited Use and/or Free Tools

Most Requests Follow This Process

Please submit a request form for the following scenarios

• Free tools

• Paid tool, with individual or site funds 

• Individual or single-site department requests

SUBMIT REQUEST HERE

Students Log In

Any time you ask your students to log into a website or tool, you need to be sure that it is not collecting and selling your students' data or targeting ads towards them.  This includes free apps as well as Chrome extensions and add-ons.  This also includes resources your students will need to download or install on their device.

Please be sure to only use approved tools for anything that asks students to log in or install.

Teacher-Generated Logins

Some sites allow you to create a set of usernames and passwords for your students.  These sites do not collect data about your students, since they are logging in with fake names.  In general, these are safe to use with students.  It's best to submit a request for these types of tools just to be on the safe side.

No Student Logins or Access

If your students will never interact with a tool, there is no need to have it approved for use with students.  This might include a worksheet generator (like Kuta for math) that you use as a teacher, but your students never see.

When using technology apps and tools, even free web tools, it is important to make sure that it is safe for our students, and that we are in compliance with the many student data privacy laws such as COPPA, SOPIPA, and FERPA.  Each of us is responsible for following these laws and may be liable if we do not.  For an overview of student data privacy laws, please click here.  For even more information about student SOPIPA, please check out this post from Common Sense Education.

If the app collects student data, it needs to be vetted for student privacy laws, regardless of cost.  Please complete the process to protect your students and yourself.  Free apps can be particularly dangerous since many make their money by collecting and selling user data.

Just in case you are unwittingly using a tool that collects and sells student data, please complete the process to protect your students and yourself. Years ago, there was no established vetting process. Just because it's been in use does not mean it is safe to do so.

Supplementary resources that are part of a district-approved curriculum adoption have already been approved for use.  There is no need to complete the process for these resources.

You don't need to be able to evaluate a tool's privacy policy.  That is the purpose of this process.  The tech adoption committee will check out measures the tool or app takes to protect student data privacy for you.

Your department chair may know of a similar tool or app that another department member is already using.  This opens up conversations among department members, as well as among department chairs across sites to share strategies and new tools.  If you are using something innovative with your students, it benefits everyone to share these best practices.   

The form, itself, should take no more than about 15 minutes to complete. 

The process may take weeks to months to complete. Sometimes we need to work with a vendor to ask for updated privacy policies or documentation. We have no control over how long individual vendors can take.

A helpful tool in identifying the safety of an instructional technology app is the California Student Privacy Alliance (CSPA).  Feel free to search the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) database to see if an app or tool you are interested in already has privacy agreements on file at other school districts.