A Guide to Understanding Compliance and Student Data Privacy in EdTech
- Deledao
- Apr 3
- 9 min read
The information in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice of any kind. Please consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions or to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Why Student Data Privacy Matters in EdTech
Compliance with student data privacy laws and regulations in EdTech is critical for schools to safeguard student information and meet legal requirements like FERPA, COPPA, and CIPA.
Educational technology (EdTech) has transformed how students learn and teachers teach. From interactive whiteboards to personalized learning platforms, the digital classroom offers endless possibilities. Recent data underscores this shift: According to EdTech Magazine, 74% of educators say technology is essential to expanding on classroom content. But this digital revolution comes with a catch—schools must prioritize compliance and student data privacy to keep students and schools protected.
Why does this matter? Laws like the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) set strict standards for filtering harmful content and safeguarding student data, respectively. Ignoring these isn’t just a legal risk—it can mean losing federal funding (like E-rate discounts), facing lawsuits, or damaging trust with parents and communities. A 2024 survey from the 2025 National Student Data Privacy Report by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) found that 88% of school EdTech leaders cite student data privacy as one of their top priorities, reflecting the stakes involved.
At Deledao, we’re not just another EdTech vendor—we’re innovators obsessed with solving these challenges. Our EdTech solutions, powered by patented real-time AI, prioritize privacy and empower schools to meet compliance head-on while keeping the focus on learning. This guide unpacks everything you need to know about student data privacy compliance and other relevant legal topics with actionable steps for your school district. Let’s dive in!
For a quick primer on why privacy is non-negotiable for Deledao, check out our post: Protecting Student Data Privacy: Deledao’s Commitment to Security and Compliance.
Safeguarding Student Data: Best Practices for Schools and EdTech Providers
Student data—names, grades, health records—is a goldmine for learning analytics but a target for breaches. Laws like FERPA protect this info, mandating strict controls on who can access it and how it’s used. Meanwhile, ransomware attacks from 2019-2021 on U.S. schools (per the U.S. Government Accountability Office) highlight how millions of U.S. students have already been affected. Here’s how schools and EdTech providers can step up:
Legal Must-Haves
FERPA compliance: Schools need to ensure that students’ records are handled confidentially and that families maintain control over who sees sensitive information.
COPPA compliance: Websites, online services, and apps that are directed at children under 13 or knowingly collect personal information from them must restrict the collection, use, and sharing of this information. Schools should only use EdTech products compliant with COPPA.
CIPA compliance: If schools and libraries want to receive E-Rate funding from the federal government, they are required to have an internet safety policy and use technology to block or filter access to child pornography and content that's harmful to minors.
State and local laws: Certain states have laws that provide additional layers of protection, such as the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) in Illinois.
State-Specific Regulations: The Texas SCOPE Act
Texas has the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, which became effective on September 1, 2024.
The SCOPE Act introduces several key requirements for digital service providers to enhance online safety and privacy for minors, including protecting them from harmful content, limiting the use of personally identifiable information (PII), and improving parental controls. Deledao’s solutions, such as ActiveScan™ - Web Filter, ActiveInstruct™ - Classroom Management, and ActivePulse™ - Student Wellness, are designed to meet these requirements while ensuring a safe and engaging digital learning environment.
For more detailed information on how Deledao supports Texas schools with SCOPE Act compliance, please refer to our blog post: Navigating the SCOPE Act: How Deledao Supports Texas Schools in Ensuring Compliance.
Best Practices to Lock It Down
Encrypt everything. Use strong encryption for data in transit (e.g., over Wi-Fi) and at rest (e.g., on servers).
Limit access. Implement role-based access controls—teachers see grades, not medical records; IT admins manage technology systems, not traditional student records.
Audit relentlessly. Log data access and review it regularly to spot unauthorized activity quickly.
Shred what you don’t need. Delete outdated records securely to reduce risk.
Communicate clearly with parents. Share a plain-language privacy policy with families—what’s collected, why, and how it’s protected.
The EdTech Provider’s Role
Schools can’t do this alone. EdTech providers must bake privacy into their DNA:
Minimize data collection to what’s essential.
Use anonymized data for analytics when possible.
Offer tools that make compliance easy for schools.
These steps don’t just check legal boxes—they build a culture of trust. Parents want assurance their child’s data isn’t a liability; students deserve a worry-free digital space.
Deledao’s Commitment to Security and Compliance
At Deledao, we are committed to student data privacy and are fully compliant with all applicable U.S. federal and state laws concerning student data privacy. We never sell, share, or rent personally identifiable information (PII). We collect only the necessary data and act as data processors, not data owners. Our solutions are designed to ensure that student data is encrypted, stored securely in U.S. data centers, and deleted after one year. We are also a signatory of the latest Student Privacy Pledge, demonstrating our commitment to protecting student data beyond federal laws.
For more information on Deledao’s security and data privacy practices, please visit our Security and Data Privacy page.
Human Factors in School Security
While technology plays a crucial role in protecting student data, it’s important to recognize that human behavior can be the biggest security flaw. At the IDEA conference for K12 IT admins, experts discussed how human errors, such as weak passwords, phishing scams, and lack of awareness, can compromise school security. Deledao emphasizes the importance of educating staff and students about cybersecurity best practices to create a culture of security within schools.
For insights from the conference, please read our blog post: Your School's Biggest Security Flaw is Human – Conference Recap.
What is FERPA Compliance and How Does It Impact EdTech?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects student education records and gives parents rights to access, review, and control the disclosure of their children's data.
Key FERPA Requirements for Schools
Parents or eligible students can access and review education records.
They can request corrections if records are inaccurate.
Schools must obtain written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information (PII), except in cases where school officials have a legitimate educational interest.
Ensuring FERPA Compliance in Schools and EdTech
Schools should appoint a compliance officer, notify parents, secure data, ensure vendor contracts comply, and train staff.
EdTech providers must have signed contracts limiting data use, implement security measures, and respond to access requests, as they are considered "school officials" under FERPA.
COPPA Compliance in EdTech: Protecting Children Under 13
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulates how online services collect, use, and disclose personal information from children under 13, crucial for EdTech providers and schools.
What is COPPA?
It applies to websites or apps directed at children under 13 or with actual knowledge of collecting their data, requiring notice and parental consent.
Key COPPA Requirements for EdTech Providers
Provide a clear privacy policy, obtain verifiable parental consent, allow parents to review and delete data, secure information, and avoid secondary use without consent.
Ensuring COPPA Compliance for Schools and Providers
Schools should review provider policies, verify consent processes, monitor data usage, and stay updated on regulations.
Providers must assess applicability, post policies, use FTC-approved consent methods, and implement security measures.
CIPA Compliance for Schools: Accessing Federal E-Rate Funding
CIPA compliance is mandatory for schools seeking E-rate funding. It requires internet safety policies and filters to protect students online.
The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), passed in 2000, has clear intentions: to protect students from harmful online content. It applies to any school or library receiving E-rate funding, a program that subsidizes internet access and tech infrastructure. To stay compliant, schools must deploy internet filters and enforce an internet safety policy.
What Does CIPA Require?
CIPA mandates that filters block three categories of content for minors:
Obscene material (as defined by federal law)
Child pornography
Content harmful to minors (e.g., explicit or violent material)
Why Compliance Isn’t Optional
Failing CIPA compliance risks more than a slap on the wrist. Schools could lose E-rate funding, which can account for up to 90% of tech costs in underserved districts. Beyond money, there’s reputational damage—imagine the fallout if parents learn their kids accessed harmful content due to lax policies.
How Schools Can Comply
Here’s what it takes:
Deploy a CIPA-compliant filter. It must block the required categories without over-blocking educational content.
Craft an internet safety policy. This should outline acceptable use, monitoring practices, and safety education.
Educate the community. Train students on digital citizenship, staff on filter management, and parents on what’s being done to keep kids safe.
Traditional filters often stumble here, relying on static keyword lists that miss new threats or block too much, frustrating teachers and students. Deledao’s patented InstantAI™ filtering flips the script, adapting instantly to evolving content while preserving access to learning resources.
Implementing CIPA-Compliant School Filters: A Practical Guide
A filter isn’t just a tool—it’s your frontline defense against online risks and a ticket to CIPA compliance. But not all filters are equal. Here’s how to pick, set up, and manage one that works for your school.
What to Look For in a Filtering Solution
Granular control: Block harmful sites while allowing educational ones (e.g., YouTube for lessons, not distractions).
Real-time analysis: Catch emerging threats, not just known ones.
Scalability: Works for 50 students or 5,000 without slowing down.
Reporting: Provides clear data on what’s blocked and why.
Ease of use: No PhD required for IT staff or teachers to manage it.
Step-by-Step Implementation
Assess your needs. Survey staff and review usage—what’s critical to block (e.g., explicit content) versus allow (e.g., research sites)?
Pick a provider. Prioritize CIPA compliance and real-time features—static lists won’t cut it.
Set policies. Define rules by grade level or user type (e.g., stricter for elementary, looser for high school).
Roll it out. Install the filter, test it on sample devices, and train staff on overrides or reports.
Monitor and tweak. Use dashboards to track blocked attempts and adjust policies monthly.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Over-blocking: Shutting down too much kills productivity—think blocking all of Wikipedia instead of just risky pages.
Under-blocking: Missing sneaky threats like encrypted sites or new platforms.
Ignoring updates: Tech evolves; your filter should, too.
Deledao shines here. Our InstantAI™ doesn’t just block—it blurs inappropriate images and videos in real time, keeping students safe without disrupting class. A study of over 1,000 students across the U.S. using Deledao showed that over 80% of students drastically reduced their attempts to go off task on their school devices, indicating that Deledao helped students develop their self-regulation skills.
Digital Wellness Checklist
In addition to implementing robust filtering solutions, schools should also focus on promoting digital wellness among students. Digital wellness involves teaching students how to use technology responsibly and safely. To help schools get started, we’ve created a Digital Wellness Checklist that covers key areas such as screen time management, online safety, and digital citizenship.
For the full checklist, please see our blog post: Digital Wellness Checklist.
Deledao’s Approach to Compliance and Privacy: Real-Time AI for Real-World Challenges
At Deledao, we don’t follow trends—we set them. Our approach to compliance and privacy tackles the messiest challenges schools face: keeping student data safe, tight budgets, and overstretched IT teams. Here’s what makes us different:
Patented real-time AI filtering: Analyzes content as it loads, blocking harm before it hits screens.
Privacy-first design: End-to-end encryption and minimal data retention keep student info secure.
Actionable insights: Detailed reports help schools prove compliance and spot trends.
Future-proof tech: Adapts to new platforms and risks without constant manual updates.
Take InstantAI™, our game-changer. It doesn’t just flag bad content—it blurs it instantly, from YouTube thumbnails to obscure sites.
Ready to upgrade? Explore why you should get a Deledao demo or dive into our blog for more insights.
Resources and Further Reading
Hungry for more? Here’s your go-to list:
Conclusion: Building a Safer Digital Classroom
Building a safer digital classroom involves integrating compliance, data privacy, and innovative tools to create a secure learning environment.
Compliance and student data privacy aren’t hurdles—they’re opportunities to create a digital classroom that’s safe, equitable, and inspiring. CIPA keeps harmful content at bay, FERPA and other relevant laws protect student data, and smart filters tie it all together. With the right approach, schools can turn legal mandates into a foundation for trust and innovation.
Deledao’s here to help. Our real-time AI doesn’t just meet standards—it redefines them, giving schools tools that protect without compromise. Don’t settle for yesterday’s solutions when your students deserve tomorrow’s safety. Learn more about Deledao to see how we can partner with you—or explore our blog for more ways to stay ahead. Let’s build a digital space where students thrive, not just survive.