Privacy Policy

Introduction

GradeAssist is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users' personal information, including student data. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, protect, and handle information in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable data protection laws.

1. Information Collection

1.1 Collection of Personal Information

GradeAssist collects minimal personal information necessary for account creation and authentication. This may include:

  • User Name obtained from Google OAuth for login authentication.
  • Teacher or School Name if provided during account setup.

We do not collect unnecessary personal data or request additional permissions beyond those required for authentication.

1.2 Collection of Student Data

GradeAssist processes student-submitted assignments as part of its core functionality. Student names may be stored for ease of use but are not shared with third parties or used beyond their intended purpose.

2. Use of Information

2.1 Use of Personal Information

Collected personal information is used exclusively for:

  • Account authentication and login.
  • Providing access to the GradeAssist platform.
  • Enhancing user experience within the platform.

2.2 Use of Student Data

Student-submitted content is used solely for grading, feedback, and progress tracking. GradeAssist does not use student work to train AI models or for any other purpose outside of the teacher's intended use.

3. Information Sharing

3.1 No Unauthorized Third-Party Sharing

GradeAssist does not sell, rent, or share user or student data with third parties. The only exceptions are:

  • Essential service providers (e.g., authentication, cloud storage) that enable platform functionality while maintaining strict data protection agreements.
  • Legal requirements in cases where disclosure is mandated by law (e.g., court orders, regulatory compliance).

3.2 Data Transmission to API Providers

When users submit assignments, the text is processed through our API providers, including OpenAI. OpenAI's privacy policy governs data handling, but assignment data is not used to train AI models.

4. Data Handling & Security

4.1 Security Measures

GradeAssist implements industry-standard security measures, including:

  • Encryption in Transit & Storage: TLS 1.2+ for data transmission and AES-256 for stored data.
  • Access Controls: Role-based access restrictions ensure only authorized teachers can view student data.
  • Secure Authentication: Google OAuth is used to prevent unauthorized access.

4.2 Data Retention & Deletion

  • Student data is retained only as long as necessary for educational purposes and can be deleted upon request.
  • Teachers can request deletion of their account and associated student data by contacting team@gradeassist.ca.
  • Upon termination of a school's contract, student data is deleted within 60 days, unless required otherwise by law.

5. User & Student Rights

5.1 Access, Update, and Deletion Requests

Users (teachers) can:

  • Request access to their account data.
  • Update their account details.
  • Request permanent deletion of their account and associated data by contacting team@gradeassist.ca.

5.2 Parental & School Control Under FERPA

  • Schools, as FERPA-defined "Educational Institutions", control student data access.
  • Parents or eligible students may request review, correction, or deletion of student records through their school.
  • GradeAssist will act on school-directed requests within 30 days.

6. Rubric Publishing & Public Content

6.1 Voluntary Publishing of Rubrics

  • Teachers may choose to publish rubrics to GradeAssist's shared rubric library.
  • Once published, rubrics can be copied by other GradeAssist users.
  • Even if removed later, copies may still exist within the system.

7. Updates to This Privacy Policy

GradeAssist may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in data practices or compliance requirements. Users will be notified of significant updates via email or in-app notifications.

8. Contact Us

For any questions or privacy-related concerns, please contact us at team@gradeassist.ca.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on February 9, 2025.