Privacy and Security
Privacy-Safe AI Grading Practices
When using AI for grading, the data you send to the AI provider and the provider's data handling practices are important considerations for protecting student privacy.
Student data privacy considerations
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Your school district may have specific policies about data privacy, AI usage, or third-party tools. Consult with your district's IT, legal, or compliance team before using any AI grading tool at scale.
When you use an AI model to process student work, you share that content with the AI provider's system. The type and sensitivity of data you share matters. Response content that does not include personally identifiable information (PII) — such as student names, IDs, or email addresses — may be considered separately from complete student records. VelociGrader works best when you submit grading instructions and response text without student identity information.
PII to keep out of AI prompts
As a practical rule, exclude the following from any content sent to an AI grading provider:
- Student full names
- Student email addresses
- Google Classroom student IDs
- School or district identifiers embedded in the response text
- IEP or 504 accommodation details
If your assignment responses contain student names in the body text (common in essays or formatted reports), review how submissions are labeled before initiating a grading run. Grade the response content, not the student identity.
Provider configuration and data safety
The AI provider you select in the AI Engine panel determines where your grading data goes. Consider these factors:
- Data training opt-out: Most providers allow you to disable use of your API traffic for model training. Enable this setting before grading student work.
- Data residency: For districts with strict data locality requirements, confirm the provider's data processing region.
- DPA/BAA availability: Some providers offer Data Processing Agreements or Business Associate Agreements for educational institutions. Check provider documentation before deploying at scale.
- Key scope: Use an API key created specifically for VelociGrader. Do not reuse personal or multi-app keys for school grading workflows.
See also: Secure AI Provider Configuration.
School and district deployment tips
If you are deploying VelociGrader for a team or department, establish a shared set of provider guidelines before teachers begin grading at scale. Useful starting points:
- Designate a single approved provider per school or team.
- Document your data flow in writing — what is submitted, what is stored, and for how long.
- Share this page with your IT or compliance lead to support internal review.
See also: Secure AI Provider Configuration.
FAQ
What data privacy considerations apply to AI grading?
Key factors include what student data you share with the AI provider and the provider's data handling practices. Your school district may have specific policies about which vendors are approved, how data can be used, or what approvals are needed. Consult your district's compliance or IT team for guidance specific to your situation.
What student data should teachers avoid sending to AI grading tools?
Avoid sending student names, IDs, email addresses, or any other personally identifiable information as part of the grading prompt. Grade the response content only.
What practices should I consider when configuring AI providers?
Consider using API keys scoped specifically to grading workflows, disabling data training opt-ins if available, and reviewing provider documentation about data handling and any agreements they offer for educational institutions. Your district's IT or compliance team can help evaluate these options.