Ohio SB 29
Ohio SB 29 requirements went into effect October 24, 2024. Is your district compliant?
The Impact of Ohio SB29 on School Technology Use
Ohio Senate Bill 29 (SB29) is set to transform how schools use technology, focusing on digital equity and cybersecurity in schools. While aimed at modernizing digital learning and improving data privacy in education, SB29 leaves important questions for educators and administrators about its real impact and implementation.
Ohio Senate Bill 29 (SB29) mandates stronger student data privacy and greater parental visibility across Ohio’s schools. However, for stretched-thin schools, the specific requirements raise concerns about how they’ll meet new data privacy standards and notification requirements.
The bill requires schools to more tightly review and manage vendors and ed-tech resources in use to ensure they meet the high data privacy standards set by the bill. It also sets limits on student monitoring, and includes requirements for parental notification when allowed exceptions permit monitoring.
Stay ahead of SB29 by exploring our resources to help your school balance compliance with student safety and staff resources.
The key provisions of Ohio SB 29 include:
- Defining “educational records” and “educational support services data”
- Requiring technology providers that contract with school districts to comply with data privacy laws and limiting their use of student data
- Requiring school districts to provide notice to parents about technology provider contracts affecting student records and opportunities to inspect those contracts.
- Prohibiting school districts and technology providers from electronically accessing or monitoring certain features of school-issued devices without notice or specific circumstances
Lightspeed is here to help with Ohio SB 29 compliance!
| Comply with Federal and State Data Privacy Laws | FERPA, COPPA, and CIPA compliant |
| Limit Use of Student Data for Non-Educational Purposes | Does not use student data for advertising or non-educational purposes. |
| Ensure Contracts Include Appropriate Security Safeguards | Rigorous security provisions to protect educational data from unauthorized access or misuse. |
| Notify District of Data Breaches | Immediately informs the district, providing all required information under ORC 1347.12. |
| Education Records are Solely the Property of the School District | Ensures that any education records created, used, or shared remain under the ownership of the school district. |
| Identify each curriculum, testing, or assessment technology provider and their level of access to education records | App lists can include Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, contract dates, and more |
| Include information about the contract inspection, and provide contact information for a school department to which a parent or student may direct questions or concerns. | Empowers parents to stay informed and engage in discussions about the digital tools used in schools |
LEARN ABOUT THE PUBLIC APP LIST
How Lightspeed Helps Districts Comply
Lightspeed Insight’s Public App List gives parents visibility into the apps their children use. This list allows parents to request more information about vendor contracts, simplifying communication and keeping parents informed about third-party apps accessing educational records. The Public App List includes key details like:
- privacy policies
- terms of service
- contract dates
Ready to see how we can help?
Watch the Recording
What Schools Need to Know About Ohio SB29
In this follow up conversation, we’ll share more information on our plans for helping Ohio schools meet the Senate Bill 29 requirements. We discuss:
- Exceptions to the prohibition against monitoring
- Plans for parental notification across our product suite
- Our Public App List, which many Ohio districts are turning to to meet the contract visibility portion of SB 29
Watch the Recording
Conversation about Ohio SB29
Watch the on-demand recording of our webinar, Ohio SB29: What Schools Need To Know, to learn how Lightspeed solutions make it easy for you to not only meet but exceed SB29 requirements.
We’ll share basics of this legislation and walk through you how Lightspeed’s portfolio of products helps your district align with the Ohio SB29’s requirements effectively and efficiently.
Watch the Video
Lightspeed Parent Portal
Keeping parents informed and involved in edtech decisions is a key goal of SB29.
Lightspeed’s Parent Portal makes it easy. Parents can see student activity and manage after-school device use, YouTube access, social media access, and more (all within safe parameters set by the district).
By 10/24/24, the Lightspeed Parent Portal will be included with ALL Lightspeed solutions (not just Filter) and it will include parent notifications when Classroom or Alert are used to monitor a student.
READ THE BLOG POST
Ensuring Compliance & Protecting Student Privacy
Lightspeed Systems helps schools navigate these changes by aligning its solutions with the new legal requirements, ensuring compliance while protecting student privacy and safety. With tools like Lightspeed Insight and the enhanced Parent Portal, Lightspeed makes it easy for districts to stay compliant and informed. Read more in our recent blog post.
READ THE BLOG POST
Ohio SB 29: Your Questions Answered
With the new Ohio Senate Bill 29 (SB 29) rules coming soon, many schools have questions about how Lightspeed Systems’ tools, like Lightspeed Classroom and Alert, will meet the new rules. We are here to help schools understand these changes and feel confident using our products. We’ve been working closely with legal experts and Ohio schools to make sure you stay compliant and keep students safe. Get answers to your questions in our recent blog post.
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