Student Data Privacy

Protecting the privacy of our students is one of our highest priorities at Northbridge Public Schools. As we continue to expand our use of digital tools to support teaching and learning, it’s essential that we ensure every resource we use follows strict student data privacy standards.

To support this work, NPS partners with the Massachusetts Student Privacy Alliance (MSPA) and The Education Cooperative (TEC). Through this partnership, we secure Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs) with vendors whose tools collect or store student information. 

A Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) is a legal agreement that protects our students and our district. DPAs ensure that vendors:

• Follow federal and state privacy laws (CIPA, COPPA, FERPA, PPRA)

• Acknowledge that NPS owns all student data

• Notify the district promptly if a data breach occurs

• Do not sell, share, or use student data for advertising or non-educational purposes

• Follow best practices for secure data storage and protection

With more digital learning tools than ever before, these safeguards are essential.

To remain compliant and ensure student data stays protected, staff must follow the district’s review process when planning to use any new apps or platforms that require student logins or collect student information.

Many commonly used tools are already vetted, approved, and listed here.

If you want to use a new:

• Website

• App

• Online platform

• Browser extension

• Or anything requiring students to log in with their school email

➡️ Please submit a FreshDesk request before students begin using it.

Approval Timeline

• If a DPA already exists:
  Approval typically takes 1–3 business days.
  
  

• If a new DPA is required:
  The process can take several weeks or more, depending on vendor responsiveness.

We appreciate your patience—these steps ensure we keep our students’ information safe and our district compliant with state and federal requirements.