February 22, 2022–iKeepSafe announced that it has awarded a FERPA privacy badge to InPlay’s OSCAR Platform. OSCAR is an innovative text message-based registration system that connects hard-to-reach, underserved K-12 students with quality summer and after-school programs.
Now, more than ever, kids need to discover and practice new skills to expand their potential and bolster their mental health. But school districts and cities struggle to coordinate outreach to get the right kids in the right summer and after-school programs. For the first time, low-income families can choose from a range of local, free programs and sign up with a touch of a button. InPlay lowers the barriers to access and opens up city-wide networks of programs to give access to the enriching opportunities every kid needs and deserves.
“InPlay is committed to helping students participate in fun learning programs and in the process ensuring that their personal data is being handled safely and securely between families, school districts, and community program providers,” said Rod Hsiao, Co-Founder and CEO of InPlay.
iKeepSafe’s FERPA badge is the first independent assessment program for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This certification helps educators and parents identify edtech services and tools that protect student data privacy.
“We congratulate InPlay on demonstrating their commitment to privacy by obtaining the iKeepSafe FERPA badge,” said Amber Lindsay, President and CEO of iKeepSafe. “Independent, third-party reviews provide users with peace of mind and demonstrate the quality of the product’s privacy and safety practices. Users can now feel confident that the OSCAR Platform meets iKeepSafe’s standard of quality in this area.”
Products participating in the iKeepSafe FERPA assessment must undergo annual re-evaluation to continue displaying the iKeepSafe FERPA badge. For the evaluation, an independent privacy expert reviewed InPlay’s privacy policy and practices and its data security practices. For more information, visit https://ikeepsafe.org/products/.
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ABOUT INPLAY
InPlay is an edtech non-profit that is building city-wide networks to connect underserved students with afterschool and summer learning programs to close the achievement gap. Parents can access local and affordable programs using InPlay’s online guide and integrated communication and registration tools. InPlay currently serves families in 67 school districts nationally.
ABOUT IKEEPSAFE
The Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) certifies digital products as compliant with state and federal requirements for handling protected personal information. We help organizations achieve and maintain compliance through product assessments, monthly monitoring, annual training, and assistance with remediation.
Governors, First Spouses, and State Attorneys General from throughout the United States joined with law enforcement agencies, and child safety advocates in the formation of the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) a national effort promoting the safe and healthy use of technology. iKeepSafe was founded by Jacalyn S. Leavitt, former First Lady of Utah, in 2005. Over the past decade, iKeepSafe has evolved into a leading organization trusted internationally by families, educators, and industry.