PowerSchool Holdings settlement amount varies for Naviance student privacy and data use claims

PowerSchool, the company that operates the Naviance student-planning platform, has agreed to a class action settlement resolving claims that student data was improperly collected, used, or shared through the Naviance service. Under the settlement, eligible students (or their parents) who logged into Naviance at least once between August 18, 2021 and January 23, 2026 may submit claims without providing proof, with payouts that vary by claimant and a filing deadline of May 26, 2026. Plaintiffs brought the suit to address alleged privacy violations and seek compensation and corrective measures, arguing schools and vendors must do more to protect minors’ sensitive educational and behavioral information. This case is part of a broader wave of scrutiny over education-technology data practices, where regulators, parents, and school districts are increasingly focused on who can access student profiles, how long data is retained, and whether third-party analytics or advertising uses occur. Federal and state rules frame the debate—FERPA governs access to education records, COPPA restricts online collection from children under 13, and state laws such as California’s Student Online Personal Information Protection Act impose further limits—while contract terms between districts and vendors determine operational responsibility. Settlements like this both reflect and reinforce higher expectations for transparency, data minimization, and contractual safeguards in the edtech industry.