Schools are legally responsible for every app that touches student data. Here are 8 education apps with verified FERPA protections — from iKeepSafe certifications to signed National Data Privacy Agreements.
FERPA — the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act — gives parents and eligible students control over their education records. For schools, it means every edtech app that accesses student data must operate under strict privacy rules, and the school itself is accountable if a vendor mishandles that data.
Unlike COPPA, which targets app operators directly, FERPA places responsibility on schools and districts. When a teacher signs up for a classroom app, the school is disclosing student records to a third party. Under FERPA's “school official” exception, this is permitted only if the vendor has a written agreement limiting data use to authorized educational purposes — typically through a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA).
The Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) has streamlined this process with a standardized National DPA used across 37 states, with over 275,000 DPAs executed since 2016. In March 2025, the Department of Education took the unprecedented step of requiring all state agencies to certify FERPA compliance by April 30, 2025, signaling a new enforcement posture. Third-party data sharing violations rose 34% in 2024 alone.
We evaluated education apps based on iKeepSafe FERPA certification, signed National DPAs through the SDPC, Common Sense Privacy scores, data minimization practices, and independent privacy audits. These 8 apps have the strongest verified FERPA protections for classroom use.
Prodigy uses game-based learning to teach math, with a newer English/ELA component.
Visit ProdigyKhan Academy Kids offers free, comprehensive early learning content covering reading, math, and more for children ages 2-8.
Visit Khan Academy KidsStarfall teaches reading through systematic phonics with engaging activities for Pre-K through 5th grade.
Visit StarfallIXL is a comprehensive adaptive learning platform covering all subjects from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Visit IXLBrainPOP uses animated videos to teach concepts across all subjects for K-8 students.
Visit BrainPOPABCmouse offers a full early learning curriculum with thousands of activities for children ages 2-8.
Visit ABCmouseZearn is a standards-aligned digital math platform offering comprehensive instruction, practice, and remediation. Free for families, premium for schools.
Visit ZearnSplashLearn offers game-based math and ELA practice for Pre-K through 5th grade. Known for engaging gameplay that keeps kids motivated.
Visit SplashLearnProdigy Math leads with the strongest FERPA credentials: iKeepSafe FERPA, COPPA, and CSPC certifications, a 92% Common Sense Privacy score, SDPC membership, and 1EdTech TrustEd App verification. For schools that need a single, thoroughly vetted math tool, it is the safest choice.
If budget is the priority, Khan Academy Kids, Starfall, and Zearn prove that strong FERPA protections and free access can coexist. Khan Academy Kids backs its DPAs with assertions of FERPA, COPPA, and PPRA compliance. Starfall, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, collects zero personal information from children — making FERPA compliance straightforward by design.
For schools with formal certification requirements, IXL and ABCmouse hold KidSAFE seals, while BrainPOP and SplashLearn participate in the SDPC framework with signed National DPAs available through state privacy alliances.
With the Department of Education's new compliance certification mandate and rising enforcement, now is the time to audit your classroom app list. Verify that every app has a signed DPA on file, check for iKeepSafe FERPA certification or equivalent, and search the SDPC Resource Registry for your district's existing agreements.
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SpellingJoy Team
The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.