https://doi.org/10.1177/1555458917690191 Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership 2017, Vol. 20(4) 17–26 © 2017 The University Council for Educational Administration Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1555458917690191 journals.sagepub.com/home/jel Article LearningPad Conundrum: The Perils of Using Third-Party Software and Student Privacy Jason O’Brien 1 , Sarah Roller 1 , and Sandra Lampley 1 Abstract This case focuses on the potential problems associated with sharing personally identifiable information (PII) when students are required to use third-party software. Specifically, third-grade students were required to complete LearningPad 1 activities as a component of their homework grade in math, spelling, and language arts. As students completed activities, their class rank, total number of correct responses, and total time on task were displayed for all students in the class to see. The administration had to make a decision as to whether the use of LearningPad software and the displaying of student data were violations of student privacy laws. Keywords student privacy, FERPA, online educational services Background Fairview P-8 School 1 is part of the Hillwood City School District 1 located in northern Alabama. Hillwood City School District serves approximately 22,500 students and is composed of 23 elementary, nine middle, and seven high schools. Due to its relatively low percentage (27%) of students on free or reduced lunch, and its geographic loca- tion, Fairview is considered a “high” socioeconomic status (SES) school (Alabama State Department of Education, 2015). The central administration of Hillwood City School District has embraced a digital initiative by providing all students in Grades 3 through 12 with their own laptops. Due to the universal availability of computers, teachers require all students to use third-party software programs to enhance 1 University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA Corresponding Author: Jason O’Brien, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA. Email: jason.obrien@uah.edu 690191JEL XX X 10.1177/1555458917690191Journal of Cases in Educational LeadershipO’Brien et al research-article 2017