What Data Companies Does the College Board Subcontract to? (And Why You Should Care)
You’re probably thinking, “Wait, the College Board? That non-profit organization that helps me get into college? Doesn’t it have my best interests at heart?”
Well, buckle up buttercup, because the truth might surprise you.
The College Board: A Not-So-Transparent Non-Profit
Let’s talk about the College Board, the organization that owns and administers the SAT and AP tests. They claim to be a non-profit, working tirelessly for the betterment of students. But how much of that is marketing and how much is genuine?
In 2020, the New York State attorney general’s office slapped the College Board with a $750,000 settlement for illegally sharing and selling students’ personal data. Yep, you read that right. The organization that claims to be a shining beacon of educational access was caught red-handed selling student information like it was a hot commodity on eBay.
So, Who Gets This Data?
Here’s the thing: the College Board isn’t exactly open about who they hand over your precious data to. They’ll tell you it’s just “educational institutions” and “non-profit scholarship providers.” But the reality is a bit more murky.
The College Board’s Subcontractors: A Peek Behind the Curtain
While they try to keep it under wraps, the College Board actually contracts out a lot of its operations to other companies. Some of these subcontractors include:
- Academic Merit LLC: This company, which specializes in academic testing, gets to access and analyze your test scores. They’re like the backstage crew at your SAT performance.
- Alorica Inc.: This company provides customer service and tech support. They might be the ones answering your panicked calls when you realize you’ve forgotten your test date.
- Educational Testing Service (ETS): This one’s a biggie. ETS develops and administers the SAT, PSAT, and GRE. They’re the main players in the standardized testing game.
- Paperscorer: This company, dedicated to making grading easier, gets to see your essays and other written work. They’re the ultimate judges of your writing skills.
But Wait, There’s More!
The College Board also uses Emsi Burning Glass to analyze job openings and career histories. This data is used for their BigFuture program, which is supposed to help you plan your future career. But who knows what else they’re doing with that data?
The College Board’s Data-Sharing Practices: A Web of Complexity
The College Board claims to be transparent about their data-sharing practices. They say you can always opt-out of sharing your data. But let’s be real. Their “opt-out” process is about as user-friendly as trying to decipher the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
What Happens to Your Data?
Here’s the real kicker: the College Board doesn’t just share your data with these subcontractors. They also share it with advertising platforms like Facebook! Yep, your test scores and personal information might be used to target you with ads for everything from college applications to pizza delivery.
The College Board: A Data-Driven Machine
The College Board is a data-driven organization that generates revenue from selling access to your data. This is a bit of a conflict of interest, isn’t it? They’re supposed to be working for you, but they’re also making money off of you.
The Bottom Line
The College Board is not as transparent as it claims to be. They share your data with a wide range of companies, and you may not even realize it. You have the right to know who has access to your personal information, and you have the right to opt-out of data sharing if you want to.
What Can You Do?
If you’re concerned about the College Board’s data-sharing practices, you can:
- Check your College Board account settings to see what data you’re sharing and make changes.
- Contact the College Board to ask questions about their data-sharing practices.
- Support organizations that are advocating for student privacy, such as the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy.
Remember: Your data is valuable, and you have the right to control it. Don’t let the College Board treat you like a data point.
Need More Help?
If you need further assistance or have any questions related to the College Board’s data practices, feel free to reach out to us at the JobLoving community! We’re here to help you navigate this complex world of data sharing and protect your privacy.