CoSN

The application window for the Federal Communications Commission's cybersecurity pilot program saw requests from schools and libraries in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

The Consortium for School Networking has released nine key findings for 2025 from its annual innovation report. IT staff shortages, reframing student assessments and AI assistance are among the predicted trends.

Several ed-tech organizations have come out with their own set of artificial intelligence guidelines in recent months as groups try to tackle what's considered best practices for developing AI in education.

North and South Carolina are the first states to join the Consortium for School Networking’s Trusted Learning Environment State Partnership Program, which will provide guidance to all districts in each state.

The Consortium for School Networking and the nonprofit CAST this week released a report on practical steps schools and tech developers can take to ensure new AI tools are accessible to all students.

A faulty software update in August crashed technology systems and grounded planes around the world. Schools were not in session, but the incident demonstrated for K-12 tech leaders what's at stake with cybersecurity.

The Consortium for School Networking launched a program this year allowing districts to earn its Trusted Learning Environment Seal one step at a time. Using this method, the Georgia district recently received the full seal.

Passed by the Senate this week, KOSPA combines the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teen’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Experts say the bill could both help and hinder student use of online technology.

In a webinar this week, K-12 thought leaders from the Consortium for School Networking summarized the ethical implementation of AI in schools as a matter of preparation, communication, equity, privacy and flexibility.

The House Appropriations Committee recently approved a bill that would eliminate $2.19 billion in federal funding for the professional development of teachers, principals and school leaders.

Still in committee as part of the Kids Off Social Media Act, Eyes on the Board aims to tie E-rate funding to the restriction of social media access on any school networks supported by these federal funds.

The FCC expects to open the application window for the three-year $200 million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program this fall and urges prospective applicants to start preparing now.

Seven major education organizations have joined forces to establish quality indicators for ed-tech tools in the EdTech Index, achieved by validation through a variety of third-party certification processes.

While generative artificial intelligence is getting all the headlines, K-12 district leaders still rank cybersecurity, data privacy and staffing as bigger priorities, followed by training and funding.

The Consortium for School Networking's annual State of EdTech District Leadership report found 63 percent of district tech leaders "very" or "extremely" concerned that emerging technology will be used for cyber attacks.

The Consortium for School Networking’s 2024 State of EdTech District Leadership Report found cybersecurity, interoperability, broadband and device access, and funding among top concerns for district IT leaders.

Dr. Tom Ryan, a retired school CIO and Consortium for School Networking councilmember, received national recognition last week for a career of helping K-12 districts navigate technological challenges.

The Consortium for School Networking at its annual conference last week announced two free assessment tools for K-12 districts: a questionnaire to assess an ed-tech vendor’s data risks, and a rubric on AI readiness.