Student Data Privacy Consortium
In today’s digital learning environments, the collection and use of student data is essential for supporting academic growth. Data allows educators to measure student progress, inform instructional decisions, and provide personalized learning opportunities. While recognizing the value of timely data in promoting student success, Pembroke Public Schools also acknowledges its responsibility as a steward of that information. We have a moral and ethical obligation to ensure that all student information is maintained securely and confidentially when using online learning platforms, educational apps, and other digital tools.
Our partnership with The Student Data Privacy Consortium’s Student Data Privacy Alliance (SDPC) is a critical component of Pembroke Public Schools’ commitment to protecting students’ online data. Through this alliance, Pembroke Public Schools leverages SDPC’s administrative and legal expertise to negotiate privacy terms with software vendors. Established in 2017 to address the needs of member districts, SDPC developed a statewide Data Privacy Agreement (DPA), now recognized in five states: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont. A DPA is a legally binding contract that outlines how vendors can collect, use, store, and protect student data. It clearly defines vendor responsibilities and ensures compliance with federal and state privacy laws, including FERPA, PPRA, and COPPA.
SDPC currently supports over 240 school districts with expert legal counsel and contract administration services, achieving more than 1,700 signed vendor agreements to date. Pembroke Public Schools values this partnership as a key strategy in safeguarding student data and maintaining the highest standards of online privacy and security.