Summary

In order to ensure that the Instructional Software Resources (ISR) used in BUSD classrooms are accessible for all students, provide necessary protections for student privacy and security, are aligned with the instructional program and are compatible with student technology systems, BUSD is implementing a structured review and approval process for ISR.  Approved ISR will be listed on this page.  If you would like to use ISR which is not on this list, you must submit an Instructional Software Approval Request using our online form prior to purchasing or using ISR in the classroom. Further information can be found in the Background Information section.

Please note that approval for use in the classroom does not provide any required licensing. It is the responsibility of the school to identify funding and procure any necessary licenses for items that are not included in the standard district-funded software list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for frequently asked questions about this process.

List of Approved Instructional Software Resources

The following ISR has been fully reviewed and approved for use in BUSD classrooms:

List of Provisionally Approved Instructional Software Resources

The following ISR which was already in use at the time that the board approved this process can be used through the 2022-2023 school year while the district completes a thorough review process:

Requesting Approval for New Instructional Software Resources

You must submit an Instructional Software Approval Request using our online form prior to purchasing or using ISR in the classroom.

Challenging the Approval of an Instructional Software Resource

If you believe that an ISR was inappropriately approved, please submit this Google Form to let us know and our team will review it.

Background Information

ISR is defined as an online resource that students must directly interact with in order to access their curriculum or that stores personally identifiable student information such as student names or student work.

Content created on an unapproved ISR may be utilized if that content is accessed through an approved ISR. For instance, a teacher may use a program to create videos, and that program may have a video viewer that does not presently meet the necessary Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements.  However, teachers may create videos using this program and then move those videos to Google Drive, which has an accessible video player.

The use of ISR is subject to multiple state and federal regulations and California Education Code. These include:

• • The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): Requires parental consent for use by minors before collecting personal information, school districts may provide the consent in lieu of parents and provide notification. 
  • The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA): Requires districts to shield students from obscene or harmful content.
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Protects and limits access to student records, which may include assignments and assessments completed by students through online systems.
  • Student Online Personal Information Protection Act (SOPIPA): Outlines extensive privacy requirements for vendors marketing products used for K-12 school purposes.
  • California Education Code § 49073.1: Requires vendors contracted by districts for ISR to have contracts in place guaranteeing compliance with security and privacy restrictions.
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in services, programs or activities provided by the district.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (504): Prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities including accessibility of communications and websites.
  • California Government Code § 7405 (Gov. Code 7405): mandates compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 for state and local government entities.

The process for the review and approval of Instructional Software Resources in Berkeley Unified School District was approved by the Board of Education on June 15, 2022.

Still have questions?

Please email softwareapproval@berkeley.net with any additional questions.