Information for CVUSD Families: ETS Statewide Data Breach

The District was just made aware of a data security incident involving a company that works with the California Department of Education. While we are still learning more about the situation, our partnership with families is incredibly important to us, and I wanted to make sure you had the information we have received so far.

The incident involved Educational Testing Service (ETS), a company that works with the California Department of Education to support statewide student assessments, including CAASPP and ELPAC. According to the California Department of Education, an unauthorized person accessed an ETS computer system and copied student information, including records dating back to the 2023–2024 school year.

We want to reassure our families that this incident occurred within an ETS system, not a Castro Valley Unified School District system. At this time, we have not received confirmation that any CVUSD student information was affected. We have been informed that ETS is responsible for notifying students and families whose information may have been involved.

The information accessed may include student names, dates of birth, home addresses, demographic information, participation in school programs, and state test results. According to ETS, the information did not include Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, financial account information, credit or debit card information, or account passwords.

We understand how important it is for families to know that their children's information is safe, and we recognize that news like this can be concerning. While this incident involves a company working with the state, we want to make sure our families have the information they need and know where to turn with questions.

For more information about the incident, including what happened, steps families can take, and available identity-protection services, please visit the California Department of Education's website.

To help protect affected current and former students, ETS is providing identity-protection services through Experian IdentityWorks for 2 years at no cost to you. The Terms and Conditions for this offer are located at www.ExperianIDWorks.com/restoration. Experian offers identity theft and credit monitoring service that covers both adults and minor children.

Families with questions can also contact ETS directly at 833-931-8488, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time. View the ETS email to parents here.

https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/in/documents/etsdatabreach-english.pdf 

Thank you for taking the time to review this important information.