Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Philadelphia Literacy Initiative ("PLI") platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.

2. Eligible Users

The platform is for use by approved PLI volunteer tutors, program staff, and administrators. New tutor accounts require administrator approval before use. The platform is not intended for students, and no account is created for any student or minor.

3. User Accounts and Authentication

Accounts use phone-based verification with one-time codes; there are no passwords. You agree to:

• Provide accurate and current information, including a phone number you control
• Keep your contact information up to date
• Not share your phone number or verification codes with anyone
• Notify PLI immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account

4. Student Privacy Obligations

PLI takes student privacy seriously and complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and applicable law. Student records in the platform are pseudonymized — we do not store student names, dates of birth, or home addresses — but they are still education records under FERPA. To protect student privacy you must:

• Never enter a student's real name in any free-text field, including session notes, comments, or absence reasons. Refer to students as "the student" or by their internal student code
• Never photograph, record, or otherwise capture a student outside the platform, and never upload student likenesses to the platform
• Only discuss students with other approved PLI users on a need-to-know basis
• Never share screenshots or exports of the platform outside of PLI
• Report any privacy concern or suspected exposure to a PLI administrator immediately

5. SMS Messaging and Consent

By creating an account, you consent to receive transactional SMS messages from PLI at the phone number you provide, including login verification codes and tutor account notices. Message frequency is occasional. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to any message to opt out, or HELP for help. PLI does not send marketing SMS.

6. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Access parts of the platform you are not authorized to use
• Interfere with, probe, or circumvent the platform's security features
• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information, including falsified session reports
• Use the platform for any purpose other than authorized PLI tutoring and program administration
• Copy, scrape, or export data in bulk except through PLI-provided export tools
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts against the platform

7. Session Report Accuracy

Session reports are used for program evaluation, funder reporting, and school partnerships. You agree to submit reports promptly and accurately. You may edit a previously submitted session report; edits are logged with an audit trail.

8. Intellectual Property

Content on the platform — including resources, curriculum materials, the Knowledge Map, and documentation — is the property of PLI or its licensors. You may use the materials in connection with your PLI volunteer role. You may not reproduce, redistribute, modify, or use the materials for commercial purposes without PLI's written permission.

9. Limitation of Liability

The platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, PLI and its service providers are not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from your use of the platform.

10. Termination

PLI may suspend or terminate your access at any time for violation of these Terms, for violation of student-privacy obligations, if your volunteer relationship with PLI ends, or for any reason at PLI's reasonable discretion. On termination, your obligations under Sections 4 and 8 survive.

11. Changes to These Terms

PLI may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be announced via in-app notice and SMS at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the platform will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

13. Contact

Questions about these Terms may be directed to: