Student data privacy is critical

In recent years, student data privacy has become a critical concern across the United States and the European Union. As more instruction, assessment, and learning tools move online, the volume and sensitivity of data collected — from test scores to behavioral metrics — has grown dramatically. The question of who can access this data, how long it’s kept, and how securely it is stored has moved from theoretical to urgent.

Laws and regulations taking effect

• In the U.S., longstanding federal statutes like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) govern the treatment of students’ education records and personally identifiable information (PII). (studentprivacy.ed.gov)
• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) protects children under age 13 in online settings, mandating parental consent or other safeguards when collecting personal data. (ftc.gov)
• The PPRA (Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment) limits certain types of data collection or surveys (especially those funded by the federal government) and gives parents opt-out rights. (studentprivacymatters.org)
• In Europe, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) imposes strong constraints on processing the personal data of EU residents, including students. (commission.europa.eu)
• Over the past decade, many U.S. states have added or strengthened their own student-data privacy laws. For example, Illinois’s SOPPA (Student Online Personal Protection Act) restricts how student data may be used by third-party providers and bans targeted advertising. (usercentrics.com)
• In New York, Education Law 2-d requires districts to publish a “Parent Bill of Rights for Data Privacy & Security” and limits how student PII is shared with third parties. (instructure.com)

These laws share common themes: data minimization, security, parent/students’ rights to access or delete data, transparency, and limits on commercial exploitation of student data.

Because of this regulatory environment, educational technology providers must adopt a “privacy-first” design mindset as a baseline expectation.

Spelling Test Buddy: Privacy First, Always

At Spelling Test Buddy, we believe that protecting your, and especially your students’, privacy is nonnegotiable. Here’s how we live by that:

• We do not require you to enter an email address or even a full first or last name for your students.
• We never sell your or your students’ personal information.
• We show no advertising.

Our approach is built on minimizing what data we collect, limiting access, ensuring strong security, and being transparent about what we do.

Compliance & Recognitions

Spelling Test Buddy is designed to align with major student data privacy laws and standards. Among our commitments:

• FERPA — we operate in a way consistent with schools treating us as a “school official” (i.e. data used only for educational purposes).
• COPPA — for users under 13, we adhere to parental consent and protective measures in online data collection.
• PPRA — we avoid collecting or using sensitive personal data in ways that would conflict with PPRA restrictions.
• State laws — we maintain compliance with ISSRA, SOPPA, IPA, PIPA (for districts where those apply).
• We’re also approved for use by the Student Data Privacy Consortium Alliance in districts and schools in the 15 states they cover: Massachusetts, Maine, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Because of these measures, districts can adopt Spelling Test Buddy with confidence that student privacy is central.

Why This Matters & What You Can Do

When student data is misused or breached, the consequences are serious: loss of trust, legal exposure, and real harm to students’ privacy and future opportunities. The best defense is choosing tools that treat privacy as foundational.

If you’re evaluating an edtech solution, ask:

1. Exactly what student data the tool collects (and what it doesn’t).
2. Whether you can use it without entering full names or emails.
3. Whether the vendor sells or shares student data or shows advertising.
4. Whether the vendor is approved under state or consortium privacy frameworks in your region.

Because Spelling Test Buddy is built with those criteria in mind, it stands out as a privacy-forward choice.