What it is
Math Coach is a Chrome extension installed by Austin Micro on school Chromebooks. While students work on Math Academy, it notes how they move through each lesson and offers hints when they get stuck. The hints are written by an AI tutor that is instructed never to give answers, only to guide students to work them out.
It only runs on Math Academy lesson pages. It does not run on Math Academy quizzes or assessments, and it does not read other websites.
What it collects
| Data | Why | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Student's school Google account (email) | Chromebooks are shared, so this tells teachers whose activity it is | Austin Micro’s server and usage log (Google Sheet). Not sent to the AI. |
| Lesson progress: time on the introduction, worked example and each question; how far the student scrolled; right, wrong or skipped | So teachers can see how students engage with lessons | Austin Micro’s server and usage log |
| The question text, the student’s answer, and Math Academy’s explanation (after answering) | So the tutor can give a relevant hint | Austin Micro’s server and the AI tutor |
| Messages the student types to the tutor | To answer them | Austin Micro’s server and the AI tutor |
It does not collect: names typed by students, passwords, browsing on other sites, location, camera, microphone, or anything from Math Academy quizzes and assessments.
Who handles the data
- Austin Micro’s server (hosted on Vercel) receives the data above and passes hint requests to the AI.
- The AI tutoris reached through OpenRouter. Requests are restricted to AI providers that do not store or train on the data. The AI receives the problem and conversation, never the student’s email.
- Usage logs are sent through Zapier to a Google Sheet that Austin Micro controls. Only staff have access.
Student data is not sold, not used for advertising, and used only for Math Coach’s educational purpose.
Retention and control
- Austin Micro keeps the usage log for the current school year. Each summer, by July 31, the previous year’s log is deleted.
- Hint conversations are not saved by the extension; they disappear when the side panel is closed or the student moves on.
- Austin Micro can switch off recording the student account, in which case logs show only a per-Chromebook ID.
- To see or delete your child’s records, or to ask a question about Math Coach, email matthew@austinmicroschool.org. We’ll respond within 10 school days.
Consent
Austin Micro uses Math Coach as part of its educational program and provides consent for its use on students’ behalf, as schools may do for classroom tools under COPPA.