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United States PPRA Requirements
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) is a federal law in the United States that deals with the rights of parents to have control over certain school surveys, instructional materials, and evaluations. This law applies to schools that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

Under PPRA, schools are required to obtain written consent from parents before minor students are required to participate in any U.S. Department of Education-funded survey, analysis, or evaluation that reveals information about:

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.
3. Sexual behavior or attitudes.
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.
5. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships.
6. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, and ministers.
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or student’s parent.
8. Income (other than as required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).

Zoptiks complys with the PPRA via:

Respecting Privacy: Any surveys or materials used within the software that could gather sensitive information from students should only be used with explicit, written parental consent.

Data Collection and Use: Be careful about what kind of data is collected from students, how it's used, and how it's stored. Make sure all data practices comply with all applicable laws, not just PPRA.

Transparency: Ensure clear communication with schools about the company's data practices. Schools and parents need to know what information is being collected and why.

Partnerships with Schools: Work closely with schools using the software to ensure they're aware of their obligations under PPRA. Include clear terms in contracts regarding who is responsible for obtaining necessary consent.

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Zoptiks Helpdesk | 2024