Note from Founder:
District teams are facing growing expectations around student privacy, from changing requirements to questions from parents about how their children’s information is used. They need a practical way to reduce privacy risk and show the work behind their decisions.
We built Governance Level 1 certification to make that work visible. I wanted it to mean more than another badge: a milestone backed by a review of the applications accessing district data and the evidence supporting each decision. It takes real work to achieve, by design, so IT directors can have more confidence in the environment they manage.
A point-in-time snapshot of app access and data privacy coverage.
What does Governance Level 1 certification actually mean? A GoTeacher certificate provides a snapshot of how a school district is protecting student data across its Google or Microsoft environment. It shows which applications have been reviewed, what privacy documentation is in place, and where the district stands at a specific point in time.
To achieve Governance Level 1, a district must demonstrate 100% data privacy coverage. This means every identified application accessing student data must have one of two things: a verified data privacy agreement or a documented self-assessment completed by the district.
Privacy agreements can come through the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), signed Exhibit Es, or agreements uploaded directly by the district. A self-assessment, on the other hand, documents the district's own review and decision. It does not replace a signed agreement when one is required.
Does 100% coverage mean 100% legal compliance? No. Certification is not a guarantee of compliance with federal or state privacy laws. It confirms that the district has reviewed its identified applications and documented the evidence supporting their use.
Getting there is an important milestone. It means the district has taken the time to understand which applications access student data, address gaps, and make informed decisions about what should remain connected.
But the work doesn't stop there. New applications appear, permissions change, and agreements expire. That's why certification represents a point in time, not a permanent status.
Ultimately, Governance Level 1 recognizes the work districts have completed and establishes a foundation for ongoing technology governance.
Interested in Governance Level 1? Talk to our team about getting your district certified.
Clarify what 100% coverage includes
