When Utah tested the live network traffic of 100 school apps, 44 of the 85 with signed privacy agreements collected data the agreement did not permit (Edition 31). The amended COPPA Rule made disclosure of a child’s data for AI training a separate consent question that FERPA does not answer (Edition 14). And vendors now switch AI on by default (Edition 39). If a district cannot verify a privacy agreement, it cannot verify an AI clause about training, retention, or human review.
The Novo Review Standard
Data and Privacy Terms
What the tool collects, whether that matches the agreement, retention and deletion, subprocessors, FERPA, COPPA consent under 13, PPRA, and your state’s student privacy law.
Model Training and AI Behavior
Whether district data trains or improves any model, including the vendor’s model provider. Whether AI features are on by default and can be turned off by school or grade.
Evidence Claims
What the vendor says the tool does for learning, and what stands behind it: independent study, external study under way, internal data only, or nothing.
Contract and Governance Gaps
Audit rights, breach notice, change-of-terms notice, protection of student data in a sale or bankruptcy, and a named person for any grade, placement, or discipline decision.
The Call You Receive
What You Receive
Pricing
- Written review and call
- Contract language to request
- 30-minute readout
- Rush in 5 days: add $300
- Everything in a single review
- Notice when a reviewed vendor changes its terms
- Use reviews any time in the year
- Everything in Essentials
- A quarterly call with Dr. Griffin
- Consortia and RESAs: ask about shared reviews
Invoiced after a free 20-minute intake confirms scope. If the review is not the right fit, you pay nothing. Ohio districts that completed the $497 HB 96 Compliance Audit receive their first review at $695.
How It Works
- 1. Book the free intake. Twenty minutes to confirm the tool, the timeline, and the documents.
- 2. Send the documents. The contract or quote, the data privacy agreement, the terms the vendor points to, and your AI policy if you have one.
- 3. Findings in ten business days. Written review first, then the readout. You keep everything.
Common Questions
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a governance and procurement review written by a school leader. It tells you what to ask for and why. Confirm final contract terms with your district’s counsel.
The tool already has a privacy certification. Why review it?
Certifications are paid for by vendors and check public policies against a rubric. They do not read your contract, and most do not address AI training, default-on features, or evidence of learning.
Do you take money from vendors?
No. Novo takes no commissions, referral fees, or product affiliations. We Don’t Sell AI. We Govern It.
Send Us One AI Tool
Start with the tool you are least sure about. Direct with Dr. Griffin, no sales team.
Not ready to send a tool? Track your state’s requirements on the State Legislation Hub, or start with the free 10-Domain Readiness Brief.