Software and Internet Operators
School districts across the nation face increasing challenges and risks associated with software, internet services, and cybersecurity.
If you are a software or internet operator whose product is identified in the SOPPA Addendum table below, you should submit your new order form to [email protected]
When you send us that email, please do three things for us:
- Tell us which school(s) or departments will be using the software.
- Tell us the User's deadline for getting final approval and sign-off by the District.
- cc the User(s), so they can monitor the procurement process.
Other software and internet operators who are interested in doing business with the District should do 6 things for us, in a single email to
[email protected]:
- Send us the operator's relevant Order Form.
- Send us the operator's completed Request for Preliminary Information Form.
- Send us the operator's fully completed District SOPPA Form, or a confirmation in the Request for Preliminary Information Form that the software in question is not subject to SOPPA.
- Tell us the school(s) or department that will be using the software.
- Tell us the User's deadline for final District approval and sign-off.
- "cc" the User(s), so they can monitor the procurement process
Once all information is received, we can work with our colleagues in Information Technology, Risk Management, and the Office of General Counsel to determine the best way to proceed.
Please note: Due to the number of software and internet operators involved with the District, the procurement and negotiation process can take some time. Additionally, certain agreements will require approval by the District Board.
Accordingly, operators should anticipate that the process of procurement, negotiation, and finalization can take about 4 weeks -- or longer, if Board action is needed.
What is SOPPA?
From the Illinois Student Online Personal Protection Act:
Sec. 3. Legislative intent. Schools
today are increasingly using a wide range of beneficial online services
and other technologies to help students learn, but concerns have been
raised about whether sufficient safeguards exist to protect the privacy
and security of data about students when it is collected by educational
technology companies. This Act is intended to ensure that student data
will be protected when it is collected by educational technology
companies and that the data may be used for beneficial purposes such as
providing personalized learning and innovative educational technologies.
(Source: P.A. 100-315, eff. 8-24-17).
Recent Revisions to SOPPA go into effect on July 1, 2021.
Operators who will access covered information under SOPPA must submit the completed SOPPA Addendum to [email protected].