Primary Source is committed to protecting the privacy of educators, program participants, donors, partners, website visitors, and others who interact with our organization. This Privacy Policy explains what information we may collect, how we use it, and the choices available to you.
This policy applies to information collected through Primary Source's website, online course platforms, program and event registrations, email communications, and other services operated by or on behalf of Primary Source.
Information We Collect
Primary Source may collect information that you provide directly to us, including:
- Name
- Email address
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- School, district, organization, and professional role
- Program, course, or event registration information
- Course participation and completion information
- Professional development and certificate information
- Information required to process graduate credit registrations
- Payment and billing information
- Donation information
- Communications you send to Primary Source
- Mailing list and communication preferences
- Survey, evaluation, or feedback responses
The information collected depends on how you interact with Primary Source. We aim to collect only information that is reasonably necessary to provide our programs, services, and communications.
Course and Program Information
When you register for or participate in a Primary Source course, workshop, webinar, or other program, we may collect information needed to administer the program, track participation, communicate with you, and provide professional development documentation or certificates.
For programs offering graduate credit, Primary Source may collect information necessary to register participants for credit with the applicable college or university partner. Information required for graduate credit may be shared with that institution as necessary to process registration, credit, grades, or transcripts.
Payments and Donations
Primary Source may use third-party payment processors to process course fees, graduate credit fees, program registrations, and donations.
Payment card information is generally processed directly by the payment provider and is not stored by Primary Source. Primary Source may receive information about the transaction, such as your name, email address, payment amount, transaction date, and payment status.
Online Courses
Primary Source uses third-party platforms, including Thinkific, to provide online courses and related services. When you create an account, register for a course, or participate in an online course, information may be collected and processed through these platforms.
This may include account information, course enrollment, course progress, assignment submissions, discussion posts, completion information, and other information related to your participation.
Your use of a third-party platform may also be subject to that provider's own privacy policy and terms of service.
Email Communications
If you register for a program, create an account, join our mailing list, or otherwise provide your email address, Primary Source may send you communications related to our programs and services.
These may include registration confirmations, course information, program reminders, professional development opportunities, organizational updates, and other relevant communications.
You may unsubscribe from promotional or mailing list communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in those emails. You may still receive administrative messages related to programs or services for which you have registered.
Website and Usage Information
When you visit our website or use our online services, certain information may be collected automatically, such as:
- IP address
- Browser and device information
- Pages visited
- Date and time of visits
- Referring websites
- General website usage information
Primary Source and its service providers may use cookies or similar technologies to support website functionality, understand how visitors use our website, and improve our services.
You may be able to limit or disable cookies through your browser settings. Doing so may affect certain website functions.
How We Use Information
Primary Source may use information to:
- Register participants for courses, programs, workshops, webinars, and events
- Provide and administer online courses
- Communicate with participants about programs and services
- Track participation and course completion
- Issue professional development certificates or other documentation
- Administer graduate credit registrations
- Process payments and donations
- Respond to questions and requests
- Send information about upcoming programs and opportunities
- Evaluate and improve our programs, website, and services
- Maintain organizational records
- Meet contractual, financial, legal, or reporting requirements
- Protect the security and integrity of our systems and services
How We Share Information
Primary Source does not sell personal information.
We may share information when reasonably necessary with service providers and partners that help us operate our programs and services. These may include:
- Online learning and course platforms
- Payment processors
- Email and mailing list providers
- Website hosting and technology providers
- Colleges or universities providing graduate credit
- School districts or organizational partners sponsoring participant enrollment
- Consultants or vendors providing administrative or technical services
We may also disclose information when required by law or when reasonably necessary to protect Primary Source, our users, or others.
When programs are sponsored by a school district, state agency, foundation, or other partner, Primary Source may provide participation, enrollment, completion, or aggregate program information when required by the applicable agreement. We aim to limit such information to what is necessary for program administration and reporting.
Children's Privacy
Primary Source's online services and professional development programs are primarily intended for educators and other adults. We do not knowingly use our general website or educator course platforms to collect personal information directly from children under 13 without appropriate authorization.
Some Primary Source educational materials are designed for classroom use with students. The availability of these educational materials does not mean that Primary Source collects personal information from students using those materials.
Data Security
Primary Source takes reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure.
However, no website, online service, or method of electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Data Retention
Primary Source retains personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide our services, maintain program and organizational records, meet contractual requirements, comply with legal obligations, and support legitimate organizational needs.
Different types of information may be retained for different periods depending on their purpose.
Your Choices and Requests
You may contact Primary Source to request that we:
- Update or correct personal information we maintain about you
- Remove you from promotional email communications
- Answer questions about how your information is used
- Delete certain personal information when appropriate and permitted by applicable requirements
Some information may need to be retained for financial, legal, contractual, course completion, professional development, or other legitimate record-keeping purposes.
Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website and course materials may contain links to websites, resources, or services operated by other organizations. Primary Source is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.
We encourage users to review the privacy policies of third-party services they choose to use.
Changes to This Policy
Primary Source may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our programs, technology, legal requirements, or organizational practices.
When changes are made, the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy will be revised. Significant changes may also be communicated through our website or other appropriate channels.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how Primary Source handles personal information, please contact:
Primary Source
59 Church Street, Suite 4
Cambridge, Massachusetts
[email protected]
617-923-9933