Dear La Habra City School District Families,
We want to make you aware of a statewide student data security breach involving a company contracted by the California Department of Education. Although the incident did not originate with the La Habra City School District, we believe it's important to share what we know and help our families access accurate information and support.
On Friday, Oct. 16, the California Department of Education confirmed that an unauthorized person had accessed a computer system operated by Educational Testing Service (ETS), a company hired by the state to help administer standardized tests for California public school students. Student information was accessed and copied, including records dating back to the 2023-24 school year.
Because ETS handles testing information for public schools throughout California, LHCSD students may have been affected.
What information was involved?
According to ETS, the information accessed may include student names, dates of birth, home addresses, demographic information, disability status, participation in certain school programs and state test results. The specific information involved varies by student.
ETS reports that the compromised information did not include Social Security numbers, financial account information, passwords or personal information about parents or guardians.
What happens next?
ETS is notifying affected students and families and offering two years of free identity-protection services through Experian, a company that helps people monitor for potential misuse of personal information.
We encourage you to review the official Notice of Data Breach from ETS, which includes more details about the incident, steps families can take and instructions for accessing free identity-protection services.
Families should also be cautious of unexpected emails, text messages or phone calls referencing this incident. Do not share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited requests.
Where can families find more information?
For updates and additional resources, visit the California Department of Education's website.
Families with questions about the breach or available identity-protection services can also call 833-931-8488, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
We understand how concerning it can be to learn that your child's personal information may have been exposed. Protecting student privacy is a responsibility we take seriously, and families should be able to trust that their children's information is handled with care. While this incident involved a company working under contract with the state, our priority is making sure you have accurate, up-to-date information and know where to turn for answers and support.
Thank you for taking the time to review this important information.