What Is This About?

If you or your child received an email or letter about a data breach from Educational Testing Service, your or your child’s sensitive personal information may be at risk from a recent data breach that affected every student enrolled in a California public school over the previous three years. Our firm is investigating this incident and can help you understand your rights and legal options.

What Happened?

Educational Testing Service (“ETS”) is notifying millions of current and former students of California’s public school system of a data breach in which student information provided to the California Department of Education (“CDE”) was accessed multiple times by an unknown criminal actor. On September 25, 2026, ETS, a vendor contracted with CDE, identified unauthorized activity involving a secure file transfer protocol site used to exchange information with CDE. ETS investigated the incident with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts. The investigation determined that an unauthorized party used compromised credentials to copy files containing California student information at various times between May 22 and September 18, 2026.

ETS, at the direction of CDE, is notifying affected students and families whose information was accessed and copied during the incident. A webpage devoted to the breach has been set up on the official cde.ca.gov website. Notification will be carried out via email or U.S. Mail.

What Information Was Impacted?

According to ETS and CDE’s webpage about the breach, the following categories of information were involved :

• Names;
• Date of birth;
• Statewide Student Identifier number;
• Demographic information;
• Disability and Section 504 status, testing accommodations, and primary disability type;
• Eligibility status for public programs;
• English language proficiency and registration, participation, and results of statewide assessments; and
• Other sensitive personal information.

What Action Can You Take?

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected persons are entitled to compensation. If you received a notice email or letter from ETS, or if you or your child attended a California public school in the three years prior to the 2026-2027 school year, there is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out about your rights and potential legal remedies available.