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District explains proposed COPPA handbook revisions, says SDPAs prevent targeted advertising
Summary
District officials proposed updating the student handbook COPPA language to reflect current practice, said FTC guidance allows districts to act as a parent's agent for educational apps, and noted student data privacy agreements prohibit vendors from using or selling student data for targeted advertising.
District staff explained proposed edits to the student handbook's COPPA section at the operations and governance subcommittee meeting on March 30, saying the changes are intended to reflect current practice and to make paperwork and notices easier for parents to use.
Dr. Andre, introduced by the administration as Director of Research and Accountability, told the committee that the Federal Trade Commission's guidance allows school districts to act as a parent's agent and provide consent for the collection of children's information when apps are used solely for educational purposes. He said the district's student data privacy agreements (SDPAs) require vendors to disclose what data they collect, provide options for review and deletion, and prohibit using or selling student data to enable targeted advertising.
Officials acknowledged that parents have told them the vendor registry is not user friendly, and the district is exploring ways to surface SDPA and app privacy information more clearly in the student handbook and online. The technology committee is reviewing biometric data practices; any opt‑out tied to biometric collection would likely be handled in the FERPA section of the handbook, staff said.
A committee member proposed the district publish a plain‑language FAQ addressing common parent questions about COPPA and district practice; the chair moved to approve and file the handbook update, and the committee recorded votes to approve and file the item. Administration said it will work with communications staff to ensure information is posted to the website and ParentSquare.
