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Hamblen County Department of Education

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Software Reviews

The Hamblen County Department of Education is required to follow certain requirement for the use of software.  All software must be reviewed for required compliances.

Before submitting a software request please review the software for the following compliances.  This is not an all inclusive list, due to the fact state and federal laws and the State and Federal Department of Education guidance is ever evolving.

  1. Review Student Data Privacy Policies

    • Confirm software vendors comply with Tennessee Student Data Accessibility, Transparency, and Accountability Act requirements.
    • Ensure student data collected is limited to what is necessary for education.
    • Obtain required parental notifications or consents when applicable.

  2. Check COPPA Compliance for Software

    • Verify software used for students under 13 is COPPA-compliant.
    • Avoid using apps or websites that collect personal data from young children without proper safeguards.

  3. Adopt and Follow Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs)

    • Use your school/district’s AUP to guide student software use.
    • Communicate AUP rules clearly to students and parents.
    • Enforce consequences for misuse of software or online resources.

  4. Ensure Cybersecurity and Safe Use

    • Prevent and address cyberbullying or harassment through software platforms.
    • Report and respond promptly to any incidents occurring via school technology.

  5. Respect Intellectual Property Rights

    • Use only licensed or approved software and digital content.
    • Avoid unauthorized copying or distribution of software materials.

  6. Maintain Documentation

    • Keep records of vendor agreements, parental consents, and AUP acknowledgments.
    • Document any incidents related to software misuse and actions taken.

Tennessee State Requirements

  1. Tennessee Student Data Accessibility, Transparency, and Accountability Act (T.C.A. § 49-1-1201 et seq.)
    • Governs collection, use, and protection of student data by schools and third-party vendors, including software providers.
    • Requires parental notification and consent for data collection in some cases.
    • Mandates strict data privacy and security standards for software used in schools.
  2. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) (Federal law, but enforced in Tennessee schools)
    • Applies to websites/apps collecting data from children under 13.
    • Schools must ensure software complies with COPPA, especially for younger students.
  3. Tennessee Code on Electronic Communications and Cybersecurity (T.C.A. § 39-14-601 and others)
    • Addresses illegal electronic communications, cyberbullying, and protects students from misuse of school software platforms.
    • Schools must have policies preventing harassment via software.
  4. Tennessee Student Acceptable Use Policy Requirements
    • Tennessee Department of Education mandates districts to adopt Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) for technology use that cover software access and usage rules.
    • AUPs regulate how students may use software and internet resources, including consequences for misuse.
  5. Intellectual Property and Copyright Laws
    • Schools must comply with copyright laws when using or distributing software and digital content to students.

After you have reviewed the software for compliance with known Federal and Tennessee requirements and feel that the software is in compliance please click this link (Begin Software Request) to begin the request process.