3rd Quote Launches First US K-12 Edtech Search Engine to Help Schools Protect Student Data

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the topic of K-12 student data privacy heats up among state and federal policymakers, schools, parents, and Edtech companies, 3rd Quote has launched the first free search engine in the world to help schools easily find Edtech providers committed to protecting student data by signing onto the Student Privacy Pledge known as the "Pledge." 

3rd Quote Co-Founder & CEO (and former K-12 teacher) Edwin Wargo, M.Ed. notes, "3rd Quote's DNA is all about empowerment - empowering schools and Edtech providers in the $10B Edtech market. This launch empowers schools to easily find those Edtech providers who are committed to student data privacy. " 

The Pledge - spearheaded by The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) - is twelve commitments providers make around the collection, maintenance, and use of student data. U.S. Representatives Jared Polis (CO) and Luke Messer (IN) were also involved in the Pledge. Edtech leaders such as Gaggle, Follett, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Microsoft have signed onto the Pledge.  Alpesh Patel, 3rd Quote Co-Founder & COO adds, "We're honored to join this group of Edtech leaders and visionaries."

Schools using 3rd Quote can find the "Pledge" Edtech Providers easily with just one additional click in the search process.  "We wanted schools to be able to find all the Edtech providers who have signed onto the 'Pledge' as easily as possible. We've achieved that," commented Patel.

Student data privacy is a hot-button topic across the United States. California recently enacted landmark student privacy data legislation. According to Education Week, twenty other states have passed some form of student privacy legislation and the United States Senate is considering federal legislation. "Having children in the public school system, and as a former teacher, this issue certainly resonates at home for me," Wargo responds. 

The Pledge will make clear that school service providers are accountable to:

• Not sell student information
• Not behaviorally target advertising
• Use data for authorized education purposes only
• Not change privacy policies without notice and choice
• Enforce strict limits on data retention
• Support parental access to, and correction of errors in, their children's information
• Provide comprehensive security standards
• Be transparent about collection and use of data

About FPF
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is a Washington, DC based think tank that seeks to advance responsible data practices. For more information, visit www.futureofprivacy.org.

About SIIA
SIIA is the leading association representing the software and digital content industries. SIIA represents approximately 800 member companies worldwide that develop software and digital information content. For more information, visit www.siia.net.

About 3rd Quote
3rd Quote - the first online marketplace for schools to buy Edtech - allows schools to easily find and review Edtech providers in the $10B US Edtech market. For more information, visit www.the3rdquote.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3rd-quote-launches-first-us-k-12-edtech-search-engine-to-help-schools-protect-student-data-483310834.html

SOURCE 3rd Quote

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