Navigating Ohio SB 29 with Lightspeed Systems: Ensuring Compliance and Protecting Student Privacy

Ohio Senate Bill 29 introduces new rules that reshape how school districts and their technology providers handle student data. As a trusted partner in K-12 education, Lightspeed Systems ensures districts can navigate these changes while continuing to protect student privacy and safety. Let’s break down the key provisions of SB 29 and how Lightspeed can help schools stay compliant.

1. Defining Educational Records and Support Services Data

SB 29 now clearly defines terms like “educational records” and “educational support services data,” making it vital for technology providers to stay up-to-date with these changes. At Lightspeed, we ensure our solutions align with the latest definitions, helping schools meet legal requirements while safeguarding student information.

2. Requiring Technology Providers to Comply with Data Privacy Laws

One of the central elements of SB 29 is the requirement for technology providers to comply with Ohio’s data privacy laws, particularly around limiting how student data is used. At Lightspeed, we have always prioritized data privacy, maintaining a strict adherence to state and federal regulations. Our commitment doesn’t stop at compliance. With tools like Lightspeed Digital Insight, we empower districts to see the full picture of the apps being used, alerting them to potential privacy risks in third-party applications.

3. Providing Transparency to Parents

Transparency is a cornerstone of SB 29, which requires school districts to notify parents about technology provider contracts that may impact student records. Parents are given opportunities to inspect these contracts, ensuring they are fully informed. With Lightspeed Digital Insight’s public app reports, school districts can meet this requirement easily, providing parents with real-time access to information about the apps and services their children use.

4. Prohibiting Unwarranted Monitoring of School-Issued Devices

One of the most significant changes under SB 29 is the prohibition against school districts and technology providers from electronically accessing or monitoring certain features of school-issued devices without notice or specific circumstances. This provision ensures that monitoring practices are transparent, and parents are informed.

To make compliance simple, we’re enhancing our Parent Portal to include notification features by October 2024. This update will allow parents to see what’s happening on school-issued devices in real-time, fulfilling SB 29’s requirement for clear communication without sacrificing the district’s ability to protect students from online threats.

With Ohio SB 29, the landscape of student data privacy is changing. Lightspeed Systems remains ahead of the curve, helping school districts ensure compliance while continuing to offer the highest level of protection for students. We’re here to make compliance easy, data privacy a priority, and safety a reality.