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Student Data Privacy & District Approvals

How Speakable ensures student data is protected, and what steps schools and teachers should take to begin using the platform appropriately.

Austin Meusch avatar
Written by Austin Meusch
Updated over a week ago

Speakable is designed for K–12 education with student privacy and security at its core. This article explains how Speakable handles student data, when a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) applies, and what steps schools and teachers should take to get started responsibly.


Who needs a DPA?

Most schools and districts require a signed DPA before educational technology tools can be used with students—especially students under 13.

Speakable provides a standarized Student Data Privacy Addendum (SDPA), which applies automatically when a school or district:

  • Purchases a Team or Organization Plan, or

  • Formally approves Speakable for student use

This agreement provides full compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and state privacy laws, including SOPPA.


For Teachers Using Speakable Independently

Teachers can sign up for Speakable and explore features on their own. If you're using Speakable with students:

  • You may assign activities and track progress.

  • If your students are under 13, you must collect parental consent before students create accounts.

  • If your school or district later adopts Speakable through an institutional plan or agreement, you will no longer need to collect individual consent.

Need help with documentation for parent consent? Email us at hello@speakable.io.


When the SDPA Applies

Once your school or district subscribes to a Team or Organization Plan, or formally approves Speakable for student use, the SDPA goes into effect.

It includes:

  • FERPA compliance (Speakable acts as a School Official)

  • COPPA school-based consent (no parent forms needed)

  • Clear terms for data security, access, deletion, and breach notification

  • A strict prohibition on advertising, redisclosure, or sale of student data


Other Ways to Complete a DPA

If your district prefers to sign its own agreement, we support two options:

1. Sign via the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC)
Speakable is a listed vendor through the A4L Community. Many districts can sign the National DPA (NDPA) through Exhibit E.

Check if your state participates:
https://www.speakable.io/spdc

2. Submit your district’s DPA
If your district uses its own DPA format, we’re happy to review and sign it.

Start the process here:
https://www.speakable.io/contact/legal


Summary of Use Scenarios

Scenario

DPA in Place?

Under 13 Use Allowed?

Teacher signs up independently

No

Only with parent consent

District purchases Team or Org Plan

Yes (SDPA)

Yes (school-based consent)

District signs SDPC or custom DPA

Yes

Yes (school-based consent)


Need Help?

We work with teachers, tech coordinators, and legal teams to:

  • Explain the SDPA and our privacy practices

  • Sign Exhibit E through SDPC

  • Review custom DPAs

  • Provide parental consent templates

  • Confirm if your district already has an agreement

Contact us at hello@speakable.io

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