Key points:

• CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative highlights the most pressing challenges and opportunities schools face
• The psychology of Disruptive Innovation
• Leveraging connectivity to tackle K-12’s biggest challenges
• For more news on digital innovation, visit eSN’s Educational Leadership hub

AI, learner agency, and digital equity are among a number of factors that can hinder or foster K-12 innovation, according to CoSN‘s annual Driving K-12 Innovation Top Topics, which outlines the key challenges and opportunities that will define K-12 education in 2025.

This year’s report (to be fully released in February 2025) identifies the top three Hurdles and Accelerators for schools to address, along with the top three Technology Enablers to leverage.

The Driving K-12 Innovation initiative pinpoints critical issues poised to accelerate, hinder or enable innovation in teaching and learning within K-12 spaces. By fostering awareness and guided action, the initiative empowers leaders, practitioners and policymakers to address these key topics effectively.

“Selecting the Top Topics is a vital step in CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative, as it highlights the most pressing challenges and opportunities our schools face,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “We are deeply grateful to our Advisory Board for their invaluable contributions–their insights, diverse perspectives and commitment to innovation make this project possible. Together, we’re paving the way for meaningful change that empowers students, educators and technologists alike.”

The annual series, a cornerstone of CoSN’s commitment to delivering high-quality trend reports, involves an international Advisory Board of educators, technologists, changemakers and industry partners. There are approximately 130 Advisory Board members this year, spanning 13 countries and 34 states, including Washington D.C. Their process involves surveys, synchronous and asynchronous discussions, and a final survey to select the Top Topics featured in the annual publication.

Hurdles–The top three most important Hurdles for schools to address in 2025 that are roadblocks that force schools to slow down, prepare themselves and make a leap:

1. Attracting & Retaining Educators and IT Professionals
2. Evolution of Teaching & Learning
3. Digital Equity

Accelerators–The top three most important Accelerators for schools to utilize in 2025 to help motivate and increase speed of innovation:

1. Learner Agency
2. Building the Human Capacity of Leaders
3. Changing Attitudes Toward Demonstrating Learning

Tech Enablers–The top three most important Tech Enablers for schools leverage in 2025 in order to surmount Hurdles and leverage Accelerators:

1. Generative Artificial Intelligence
2. Analytics & Adaptive Technologies
3. Untethered Broadband & Connectivity

To learn more about Driving K-12 Innovation, sign up for the CoSN Newsletter, Roadmap to Innovation.

This press release originally appeared online.

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, K-12 IT teams play a critical role in shaping the future of learning. As schools navigate complex cybersecurity and data protection challenges, they also juggle issues including equitable access to technology.

Classrooms are increasingly reliant on digital learning tools, and the focus on robust infrastructure, cybersecurity, and effective technology implementation has never been more urgent. Prioritizing these areas empowers schools to create safe, inclusive, and future-ready learning environments for all students.

We asked K-12 IT leaders to share their thoughts around IT priorities in the new year. Here’s what they had to say:

Educational institutions face the unique challenge of needing to modernize their networks, while also improving user and employee experience and following compliance requirements. This will remain true in 2025, but these institutions must tackle these problems against the backdrop of persistent cyberattacks, as well as curious and capable students. Between 2023 and 2024, we saw a 35 percent increase in attacks on the education sector, and as ransomware groups continue to target the sector with more sophisticated attacks–by leveraging tools like generative artificial intelligence–the potential impacts could be devastating. Institutions have no choice but to stay prepared and prioritize improving their security posture. Education institutions should focus on maintaining strong IT security fundamentals and implementing zero trust architecture–especially for research projects with federal funding ramifications. These strategies minimize the attack surface, prevent breaches, eliminate lateral movement, and stop data loss. Proactively addressing these evolving threats will enable institutions to remain more resilient against a growing threat landscape in the coming year.
—Hansang Bae, Public Sector Chief Technology Officer, Zscaler  

Organizations will prioritize internal defenses and post-breach strategies over traditional perimeter security, recognizing that the fight against cyberattacks is shifting inward. Advanced attacks will increasingly target sectors like education and healthcare, making data encryption and network segmentation essential components of resilient cybersecurity frameworks. As AI-fueled attacks grow more sophisticated, agencies will focus on limiting attackers’ movements within networks, accepting that the perimeter can no longer be the sole line of defense.
—Gary Barlet, Public Sector CTO, Illumio 

In the two years since GenAI was unleashed, K-12 leaders have ridden the wave of experimentation and uncertainty about the role this transformative technology should have in classrooms and districts. 2025 will see a shift toward GenAI strategy development, clear policy and governance creation, instructional integration, and guardrail setting for educators and students. K-12 districts recognize the need to upskill their teachers, not only to take advantage of GenAI to personalize learning, but also so they can teach students how to use this tech responsibly. On the back end, IT leaders will grapple with increased infrastructure demands and ever-increasing cybersecurity threats.
—Delia DeCourcy, Senior Strategist, Lenovo Worldwide Education Team

With AI literacy in the spotlight, lifelong learning will become the new normal. Immediate skills need: The role of “individual contributors” will evolve, and we will all be managers of AI agents, making AI skills a must-have. Skills of the future: Quantum skills will start to be in demand in the job market as quantum development continues to push forward over the next year. Always in-demand skills: The overall increase in cyberattacks and emerging risks, such as harvest now and decrypt later (HNDL) attacks, will further underscore the continued importance of cybersecurity skills. Upskilling won’t end with AI. Each new wave of technology will demand new skills, so lifelong learners will thrive. AI will not be siloed to use among technology professionals. The democratization of AI technology and the proliferation of AI agents have already made AI skills today’s priority. Looking ahead, quantum skills will begin to grow in demand with the steady advance of the technology. Meanwhile cybersecurity skills are an evergreen need.
—Lydia Logan, VP of Global Education & Workforce Development, IBM

In 2025, K-12 schools will continue to experience significant transformations driven by AI, IoT, and biometric authentication. AI will significantly enhance school cybersecurity by automating threat detection and response, as well as introduce risks, such as AI-powered cyberattacks. Schools are adopting more advanced AI security tools to manage these threats, balancing real-time protection with privacy concerns. However, IoT adoption will require strong security protocols to prevent vulnerabilities, including network segmentation and careful vendor management. Biometric technologies, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, will be more widely deployed for security and authentication, streamlining processes like student check-ins, and building access. As biometrics merge with AI and IoT, privacy and data protection will be critical, requiring schools to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and secure handling of biometric data. Overall, as technologies evolve, K-12 schools must carefully balance innovation with privacy and security to enhance security, streamline operations, and create safer, more personalized learning environments for students and staff.
–Jason Martin, CTO, Incident IQ

K-12 schools faced a barrage of cybersecurity attacks in 2024, which showcased why building up the U.S. cybersecurity workforce is so important. Addressing this starts with K-12 cybersecurity education, upskilling, and improving cross sector collaboration. We’ve seen firsthand how education systems have forged stronger partnerships with industry partners and workforce development organizations to pool resources and intelligence. In 2025, we’ll continue to see local law enforcement step up their involvement in curbing these types of attacks, working together with schools to enhance security protocols and respond swiftly to incidents. This proactive approach has the potential to reshape the cybersecurity landscape in education, fostering a united front against malicious actors and ensuring our students have the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience to enter cybersecurity careers.
—Laurie Salvail, Executive Director, CYBER.ORG

Data and technology policies will tighten amid rising concerns for student privacy. As K-12 schools increasingly rely on digital tools and cloud-based platforms, districts across the United States are implementing stringent data protection measures to safeguard student information. The landscape of student privacy regulations continues evolving at state and federal levels, highlighting how schools are responding to growing concerns about data collection, storage, and sharing practices. In 2025, schools will move beyond collecting data to truly making it actionable. Instead of drowning in spreadsheets, educators will leverage predictive analytics to identify students needing support before they fall behind. The most successful districts will be those that can translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for both teachers and families.
—Joy Smithson, Data Science Manager, SchoolStatus

The threat of AI-powered cyberattacks: Experts think 2025 might be the year cybercriminals go full throttle with AI. Think about it: with the advancement of the technology, cyberattacks powered by AI models could start using deepfakes, enhanced social engineering, and ultra-sophisticated malware. If the Trump administration focuses on cybersecurity mainly for critical infrastructure, private companies could face gaps in support, leaving sectors like healthcare and finance on their own to keep up with new threats. Without stronger regulations, businesses will have to get creative–and fast–when it comes to fighting off these attacks.
–Alon Yamin, Co-Founder & CEO, Copyleaks

Related:
25 predictions for AI in 2025

Key points:

• As AI grows in prominence, workers will need highly-qualified AI skills
• New group targets AI skills in education and the workforce
• 5 critical priorities for AI in education
• For more news on IT challenges, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

Although a high majority of enterprises are adopting AI in some capacity (88 percent), many still lack the necessary data infrastructure and employee skills to truly benefit from it, according to a new survey from Cloudera, a hybrid platform for data, analytics and AI.

The State of Enterprise AI and Modern Data Architecture is based on a survey of 600 IT leaders located in the U.S., EMEA, and APAC regions and explores the challenges and barriers that exist for enterprise AI adoption across global enterprises and current applications.  It also analyzes plans for AI adoption, the state of data infrastructure, and the benefits of hybrid data management in relation to enterprise AI adoption.

In recent years, AI has become a global phenomenon, namely for its ability to supercharge business operations, enable informed decision making, accelerate innovation, and enhance experiences for both employees and customers.

However, not every organization has been able to reap the benefits. The survey found that the top barriers to adopting AI were worries about the security and compliance risks that AI presents (74 percent), not having the proper training or talent to manage AI tools (38 percent), and AI tools being too expensive (26 percent). These findings signal that despite rapid AI adoption, many pillars of a resilient AI strategy are being neglected or forgotten.  

As AI tools become more prominent in all industries, K-12 and higher education face the major challenge of producing graduates who have the necessary AI skills to compete in the workforce.

As AI evolves and cements its place in the global economy, educators and stakeholders recognize that in addition to using AI in learning, students will need to develop AI skills and knowledge to succeed in the workforce–and efforts are underway to do just that.

A new commission comprising policymakers, education leaders, business leaders, and education stakeholders from 16 states is tackling AI’s role in education from kindergarten through postsecondary programs, focusing on AI skill readiness and policy development.

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education is chaired by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and is co-chaired by Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University (WV) and former Intuit CEO.

The commission will review research and industry data and hear from education experts as it develops recommendations for southern states around using AI in teaching and learning, developing AI-related policies, and preparing students for careers in AI.

Survey findings

A key finding of the survey is that all AI efforts are ultimately tied back to trustworthy data. While 94 percent of respondents said that they trust their data, 55 percent also said they would rather get a root canal than try to access all of their company’s data. This frustration is driven by challenges including contradictory datasets (49 percent), an inability to govern data across platforms (36 percent), and too much data (35 percent). These areas of frustration signal that many enterprises might be missing a modern data architecture that empowers organizational-wide access to data–wherever it may live–in a secure, accessible and trustworthy manner.

From automating and streamlining IT processes, to building chatbots capable of supporting front-line customer needs quickly and effectively, to leveraging analytics to foster better decision-making, the survey revealed the top use cases for AI included improving customer experiences (60 percent), increasing operational efficiency (57 percent), and expediting analytics (51 percent). 

• Improving customer experience: Companies are applying AI technology to enhance security and fraud detection (59 percent), automate aspects of customer support (58 percent), leverage predictive customer service (57 percent), and power chatbots (55 percent), all with a goal of giving customers a safer, simpler, and more intuitive experience. 
• Increasing operational efficiency: AI is being integrated into nearly every facet of business. The survey found that IT departments are not the only ones using AI, 52 percent of respondents reported using it for customer service like better informed chatbots, and 45 percent indicated it’s used for marketing, such as analyzing call center data to offer more targeted incentives to customers. 
• Expediting analytics: Faster, easier, and more dependable access to analytics means more informed decision making, giving the companies leveraging AI a distinct competitive advantage. Nearly 80 percent of respondents said it is either “completely” or “very” true that their company is using all of the data at its disposal to make smarter business decisions. This data provides mission critical information, so access to all of an organization’s data is critical. 

“For the majority of companies, the quality of their data is not great, it’s distributed across various infrastructures and not documented in an efficient manner, and we’re seeing the fallout from that presented in the challenges identified by the survey,” said Cloudera Chief Strategy Officer Abhas Ricky. “Managing data where it resides is the most important thing when it comes to adopting AI–being able to run models in a cost efficient manner where that data already lives. Instead of bringing the data to the models, enterprises are starting to realize the advantages of bringing AI models to their data.”

This press release originally appeared online.

Key points:

• Many school district policies prohibit the installation of new cell towers at schools
• The surprising/unsurprising things education IT leaders have to say 
• Tech investments determine school success
• For more news on safe tech, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

Around a decade ago, districts began installing Wi-Fi technology in schools to facilitate access to enhanced “21st century” educational resources. Before Wi-Fi, students used computers plugged in through ethernet cords in dedicated computer rooms. Today, even kindergarteners sit in circles on the floor with Wi-Fi tablets on their laps. 

Although Wi-Fi is certainly convenient, wireless devices emit radio frequency radiation (RFR), considered an environmental issue in today’s classrooms. A growing body of research indicates RFR exposure can pose serious health risks. To protect children’s health, countries such as France, Israel, and Belgium prohibit Wi-Fi in kindergartens. Since 2019, France has ensured wireless devices are labeled with warnings which read: “Keep radio equipment away from the belly of pregnant women, and away from the lower abdomen of adolescents.”

Thankfully, there are many simple ways to reduce RFR exposure in the classroom. Here is what you need to know: 

Sources of RFR exposure

The multiple RFR sources in a typical classroom include tablets, laptops, cell phones, clickers, cell boosters, and Wi-Fi networks. Cell towers on or near schools will also elevate ambient RFR levels, particularly in nearby sports fields and playgrounds. 

Children are uniquely vulnerable

The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended reducing children’s RFR exposure because of their unique vulnerability. RFR penetrates deeper in children’s brains and bodies due to their thinner skulls, higher water content in brain tissue, and physiology. In addition, children’s rapidly developing brains are more sensitive to exposure than are adults. 

Scientific research

In 2011, the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer reviewed the science and determined RFR was a “possible” Class 2B carcinogen, which is in the same category as lead and several pesticides. That year, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe passed Resolution 1815 calling on European governments to “take all reasonable measures” to reduce exposure “for children…particularly in schools and classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections…”

Since 2011, the scientific evidence on health effects from RFR exposure has continued to mount, with the vast majority of studies indicating adverse biological effects. Controlled experimental studies carried out in a number of countries have found that even very low levels of RFR exposure can disturb biological cell communication, weaken membranes, and impact brain development. Several experts have concluded that current science indicates that RFR is a human carcinogen. 

Outdated government regulations 

When parents raise concerns about health effects from Wi-Fi or school cell towers, administrators often take RFR measurements to ensure compliance with U.S. human exposure limits. However, these outdated limits, set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1996, were designed only to address the overheating effects of short term exposure (an hour or less). Regulations do not protect for effects of long-term exposure.  In 2021, a federal appeals court ordered the FCC to explain how its 1996 limits adequately protect children’s unique vulnerability and the effects of long term exposure. Some three years later, the FCC has not responded. 

The International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields states:

“From a public health perspective, the FCC and ICNIRP should make the public aware of their exposures to RF and promote precautionary measures to minimize potential adverse effects, especially for children and pregnant women.” 

Expert recommendations 

Many public health agencies as well as medical and scientific organizations are recommending that schools take prudent measures to limit student exposure to RFR in the classroom to mitigate potential health risks, cautioning that U.S. regulations are not protective. 

In 2023, the Santa Clara County Medical Association released “Best Practices For Safe Technology in Schools,” referencing the scientific evidence indicating neurologic, genotoxic, immunologic, reproductive and hormonal effects from RFR, stating: 

We have become especially concerned with the dramatic increase in the use of this technology in schools resulting in exponentially higher levels of non-ionizing radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by these wireless devices.

Many school districts and municipalities have passed policies prohibiting the installation of new cell towers at schools. Joshua Pearce, a professor in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, published a 2019 research review concluding that there is adequate medical-scientific evidence to warrant long-term liability concerns and he recommends cell towers be at least 500 meters away from schools. In 2020, the New Hampshire State Commission on 5G released a Final Report recommending that cell towers be distanced from schools and that Wi-Fi be replaced with safer technology in schools and libraries. 

Teacher unions have passed resolutions and numerous resources are available to educate students on safer ways to use modern technology. The United Educators of San Francisco passed a resolution recommending that the California Department of Public Health cell phone radiation guidance be posted in all classrooms. The Collaborative for High Performance Schools, the United States’ first green building rating program designed for K-12 schools, developed Best Practices for Low RFR classrooms in 2014 and the interdisciplinary Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health And Protection Advisory Council also recommended safer classroom technology in 2017. 

For example, the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition produced educational modules for K-12 students on various environmental exposures, including cell phones, which are free to download and use in your classroom. 

Ways to minimize RFR in the classroom 

School policies 

• Cell phones turned completely off and away from the body, not muted 
• Prohibit leases for cell towers on school property 
• Monitor RFR levels in classrooms and remediate elevated levels

Classroom practice

• Ensure iPad and tablets are used on tables, not laps
• Teach students how to use airplane mode and work offline 
• Screen movies for students to watch collectively, not by virtual reality 

Educate students on how to reduce cell phone radiation 

• Use a speakerphone, instead of a phone to the head
• Carry the phone away from the body, not in a pocket or bra 
• Use wired, not wireless, headsets
• Turn the phone off and move it away from the bed at night
• Educate students on situations where devices emit higher RFR so students can reduce usage in these conditions
• Text rather than video chat; minimize wireless streaming
• Show students how to connect devices to the internet with ethernet cords 

School tech systems

• Prioritize hardwired internet connections
  • Install and utilize ethernet ports in each classroom to enable hardwired connections for laptops and tablets, instead of Wi-Fi
  • Purchase tech that offers ethernet ports and an easy way to turn devices on airplane mode
  • Connect accessories (keyboards and mouse) with cords, not wireless 
  • Connect stationary equipment, including printers, projectors, and IoT devices with ethernet and corded connections 
• Use pre-downloaded software, rather than cloud based, so students can work offline as often as possible
• When using Wi-Fi
  • Reduce the power output level of Wi-Fi routers so that they provide only the desired coverage; also, consider using low-emissions routers when replacing them
  • Install On/Off Switches to disable Wi-Fi access points. Default settings should be set to off
• Install hard wired ethernet internet systems in new construction  
• Install hard wired telephones in every room, not cordless–this is important for security reasons as well as for lowering radiation

Resources  

California Department of Public Health, Cell phone advisory 

Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, Guidelines to Reduce Electromagnetic Field Radiation 

Santa Clara California Medical Association, Recommendations for Best Practices for Safe Technology in Schools

New Jersey Education Association, Minimize health risks from electronic devices 

New Hampshire State Commission on 5G Final Report to Study the Health and Environmental Effects of Evolving 5G Technology 

Collaborative for High Performance Schools, Low EMF Best Practices Summary 

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, “Lets Talk Prevention” educational modules

Environmental Health Trust: Educational Resources for Students  

References 

Davis, D., Birnbaum, L., Ben-Ishai, P., Taylor, H., Sears, M., Butler, T., & Scarato, T. (2023). Wireless technologies, non-ionizing electromagnetic fields and children: Identifying and reducing health risks. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 53(2), 101374.  

Clegg, F. M., Sears, M., Friesen, M., Scarato, T., Metzinger, R., Russell, C., Stadtner, A., & Miller, A. B. (2020). Building science and radiofrequency radiation: What makes smart and healthy buildings. Building and Environment, 176, 106324.  

International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF), (2022). Scientific evidence invalidates health assumptions underlying the FCC and ICNIRP exposure limit determinations for radiofrequency radiation: implications for 5G. Environ Health. Oct 18;21(1):92.

Fernández, C., de Salles, A. A., Sears, M. E., Morris, R. D., & Davis, D. L. (2018). Absorption of wireless radiation in the child versus adult brain and eye from cell phone conversation or virtual reality. Environmental Research, 167, 694–699.

Miller, A. B., Sears, M. E., Morgan, L. L., Davis, D. L., Hardell, L., Oremus, M., & Soskolne, C. L. (2019). Risks to Health and Well-Being From Radio-Frequency Radiation Emitted by Cell Phones and Other Wireless Devices. Frontiers in Public Health, 7.  

Pearce, J. M. (2020). Limiting liability with positioning to minimize negative health effects of cellular phone towers. Environmental Research, 181, 108845.  

Key points:

• Embracing smart technology is a necessity to prepare students for the future
• 9 in 10 K-12 tech leaders predict surge in IT workload
• 3 considerations to ensure a future-proof network
• For more news on IT innovations, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

The modern classroom is evolving, and technology is at the forefront of this transformation. Imagine a classroom where the lights automatically adjust to the optimal brightness for learning, where the air quality is constantly monitored to ensure student focus, and where energy usage is minimized to save precious school funds.

This isn’t science fiction. When schools embrace the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a “smart” environment, the benefits extend far beyond energy savings. Research consistently shows that students thrive in optimized learning spaces, and schools can allocate precious funds more efficiently.

Imagine classrooms with advanced security systems, air quality sensors that ensure a healthy environment, and even smart trash cans that optimize waste collection. At the university level, “smart buildings” have become a powerful recruitment tool. The question then becomes: Why aren’t more schools embracing this transformative technology?

The challenge of upgrading legacy systems

The global IoT in education market was valued at $8.7 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $46.4 billion by 2032. Yet many schools face significant obstacles in upgrading their IT infrastructure to support the growing demands of modern technology.

• While copper cables might have been sufficient in the past, these older networks struggle to provide the speed and bandwidth needed for data-intensive applications such as high-definition video streaming, cloud-based applications, and large file transfers.
• The increasing number of Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices strains existing power systems. The average PoE device consumes 30-90 watts, and with classrooms increasingly equipped with interactive displays, security cameras, and other tech, this strain can quickly overwhelm traditional networks.
• Upgrading cabling and switches can be expensive, and funding for these upgrades is often limited. Many tech upgrades such as lighting, cameras, vape detection, or access control are not eligible for E-rate funds, a federal program providing discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access.

But the savings that schools may experience is clear. By implementing smart lighting, one Texas school district achieved a remarkable 41.4 percent reduction in energy usage, saving $33,665 annually. This translated to a significant reduction in its annual carbon footprint, equivalent to the air-cleaning power of 177 mature trees. Additionally, the smart lighting system doubled the lifespan of bulbs, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced the learning environment by allowing for adjustable lighting hues, providing a better learning environment for the students.

Debbie Karcher, a K-12 education technology advisor, highlights the benefits: “Integrating AI into school curriculum and technology systems is a game-changer for student outcomes. Transforming traditional systems, like lighting, into smart platforms that collect and act on environmental information is incredibly exciting for educators. Merging AI with advanced networking technology allows school districts to enhance teaching, personalize learning, and streamline operations, ultimately supporting student success.”

Distributed Edge Architecture: The smart solution

To overcome the challenges and begin achieving results, there is one clear solution: a Distributed Edge Architecture (DEA), a safe and efficient way to move high power and data to today’s connected classroom. By combining centralized floor-mounted racks with in-ceiling Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDFs), schools can create a unified backbone that seamlessly integrates IT and Operational Technology (OT) systems. This hub and spoke architecture not only simplifies network management but also unlocks substantial cost savings by allowing OT systems like lighting, security cameras, and HVAC to leverage the same infrastructure.

Only DEA ensures the ability to install these next-generation systems into schools. The advantages of DEA extend beyond energy savings and improved learning environments. It also enables schools to:

• Future-proof their networks: The flexible design of DEA makes it easy to adapt to evolving technology needs.
• Enhance connectivity: Fiber-based networks provide high-speed internet access for all students.
• Facilitate innovation: The unified infrastructure supports the integration of new technologies like smart whiteboards, virtual reality systems, and more.
• Improve safety and security: IoT sensors can monitor air quality, detect vape use, and enhance overall security measures.

The transition to DEA may seem daunting at first, but the long-term benefits are undeniable. By breaking down silos between IT and OT systems, schools can maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and create a more engaging and effective learning environment for their students. Imagine utilizing smart bus tracking for improved safety and efficiency, wearable devices to monitor student health and activity levels, or augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices for immersive learning experiences. We encourage schools nationwide to explore resources and learn more about implementing this solution.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, embracing smart technology is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for preparing students for the future.

Key points:

• IT leaders are increasingly in need of time, support, and training
• 9 in 10 K-12 tech leaders predict surge in IT workload
• 5 ways to combat tech fatigue and support student success
• For more news on IT trends, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

Sometimes, when you ask a question, you get an answer that’s surprising and completely expected at the same time.   

That’s what happened when we surveyed education technology leaders, and not the people you may think of when you hear that description. Not entrepreneurs, investors, and pundits. They get plenty of ink already. Instead, late last year and into the first portion of 2024, we surveyed information technology leaders in schools–the people in the IT departments who work to make technology work. We asked questions to the people for whom innovation and disruption turn into to-do lists. 

Our survey wasn’t long or overly detailed. Squeezed by security threats, daily demands, and new deployments, they have enough to do. 

And although some of the answers surprised us–and they may surprise you–many of the responses make perfect sense if you step back a pace or two and review through a wider lens. Which, honestly, is why we asked. 

The first response that fitted the surprising/not surprising pattern was when we asked scholastic IT leaders to think about the mix of “all the technologies used in schools and classrooms.”  

Perhaps not surprising to many of us involved in schools is that more than two-thirds of education technology practitioners said they were not lacking technology solutions. The largest group within that said the mix of tools was fine as it is, and the remainder implied by their response that they couldn’t keep up with what was needed to fully understand how to use them all effectively.

If you think about it, this makes sense. Those who actually manage education tech are doing the grind. They are stretched, feeling underwater 10 days out of 10. 

That conclusion was reinforced when we asked them what they would “want most for the school or classroom.” This time, there was a more surprising answer–most did not want more funding. Just 28 percent listed financial resources as their top want. The most common answer was time–our education technology teams wanted more time. Thirty-one percent (31 percent) said that, above all else, they wanted more time to learn and implement the technologies they were already using or trying to use. 

On the same question, 22 percent also said they wanted more training and support around technology solutions, which is a version of time. So, if you add those two–training and more time directly–a majority (53 percent) wanted space and support, not money. 

Surprising, maybe. When is the last time you heard anyone in education say they did not need more money? The answer should send a strong message of how seriously our school IT leaders need the time and support to do their jobs–they are more or less willing to pay for it. 

To be clear, the IT leaders we surveyed are not anti-tech. It would be really big news if they were. In fact, when asked about how they felt about education technology in general, a resounding 92 percent said that edtech, when used right, “makes teaching and learning better.” 

It’s that level of endorsement that ought to open some eyes about where our schools, teachers, and technology experts are right now. They very much love education technology, but clearly do not want more of it. That says a ton. 

The results we see in the survey data echo what we hear from clients and partners all the time. For those who have to do the doing, the tech is great, but the pace and space are increasingly incompatible. 

We liken it to one of those self-serve sundae bars. The ice cream and all the toppings are amazing. But sometimes, we need time to digest what we ingest. Sometimes, there’s already too much on our plate to even contemplate adding more. That’s how our school IT departments feel. That’s what they’re telling us. 

For those of us who work in education or in education technology, the lesson ought to be that we need to invest much more in the support, training, and management of our technologies, especially for the heroes in IT departments. They need the time and space to do the jobs we’ve already asked them to do before we can reasonably ask them to do more. And that we, collectively, need to spend time making implementation and management of our technology maximally easy and effortless. 

Honestly, that does not feel like too much to ask of ourselves. We all know that none of us can do what we want to do without the help and consistency of IT leaders. They are literally indispensable to the mission of every other education technology leader. And it’s past time that we ask them more questions, listen to their answers and center them in our planning and development. 

Key points:

• Tools like printers can have a surprising impact on budget, especially within education systems
• 3 top priorities for K-12 administrators
• 5 ways to engage your school community with tech-powered communication
• For more news on budgets, visit eSN’s Educational Leadership hub

In recent years, school system leadership has been confronted with many complex decisions, ranging from security concerns and public health crises to budgetary constraints and the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff. Among these challenges, integrating technology, particularly printing solutions, should be a line on the budget for advancing institutional achievement.

Print technology plays a unique role in modern education–and the right strategies can optimize printing resources to support the overarching goals of educational excellence.

Consider this: There are thousands (sometimes millions) of printing devices within the schools in a given state. At first glance, technology may seem ubiquitous and readily available. However, within this vast array of devices lies a hidden complexity: multiple models of the same device coexist. This diversity inevitably leads to challenges for IT departments and budgetary concerns for school systems as the procurement of various consumables and software becomes necessary.

This example of a trickle-down effect underscores the influence tools like printers can have on a budget, especially within education systems. The good news is that by standardizing your equipment, you can promote efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of student education.

Investing upfront for long-term success

Academic leaders face many decisions when laying the groundwork for school success. Among the most important is recognizing a school or district’s technological requirements and implementing a strategic plan to ensure that schools, particularly their IT departments, invest upfront with long-term success objectives in mind.

In the age of digitization, printing remains a pivotal element of modern education and a prerequisite for school achievement. Whether it involves providing supplementary resources for students with high needs, utilizing visual learning aids to display complex concepts, or disseminating classroom newsletters, the investment in printers for school systems nationwide is indispensable.

Printer standardization benefits all

By prioritizing upfront investments in printing technology, educational institutions can lay the foundation for continued success in the long term. Though pricey initially, standardizing your printer fleets is more time-efficient and cost-effective in the long run. The benefits include, but are not limited to, simple user setup, increased security capabilities, streamlined IT and maintenance processes, and document management/monitoring–all necessary for school systems to operate effectively.

Let’s take a look at each, one by one.

Simple user setup standardizes all printers, ensuring consistency in authentication methods, access controls, and permission settings. This streamlined approach makes managing user profiles easier, enhances security measures, and promotes accountability across the board.  

Increased security capabilities give school leadership peace of mind that sensitive data (particularly regarding students) is safe from hackers and breaches. It is more easily attainable if all devices have the same security features and safeguards.

Streamlined IT and maintenance processes help keep printers working correctly and minimize the risk of device downtime, which could cause several issues for schools as they’re trying to provide resources for students and families.

Document management and monitoring ensure alignment between scanning, file sharing and storage, and archiving activities. This alignment guarantees that documents are readily accessible and well-organized for easy retrieval across multiple institutions.

Budget-friendliness is the name of the game when it comes to printing. Dealing with multiple vendors, various models, different types of inks and toners, and accessories can quickly strain a budget. Consolidating these elements is critical to driving cost efficiencies and maintaining financial responsibilities.

It’s common for tasks like printing to be overlooked and fall to the bottom of the priority list. Let’s face it: With the increasing digitalization of education, some may question the necessity of printing altogether. However, it’s important to recognize that often, it’s the “small stuff” or everyday processes that can significantly impact a school’s budget, especially considering the scrutiny that expenditure receives across administrations. That is why having manageable and standardized printing systems is essential, as the absence of such can lead to heightened expenses, security vulnerabilities, and a host of other challenges for school leaders, particularly IT teams.

Investing in a standardized printer fleet upfront mitigates risks and promises long-term benefits that ultimately enrich student learning experiences and boost educator productivity.

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News is highlighting the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

The spotlight is on Kley Todd, Assistant Director for Technology Integration in Virginia’s Albemarle County Public Schools.

1. What is your biggest IT challenge today?

Our biggest challenge is currently ensuring that our instructional technology resources and curricular outcomes are delivered equitably to all students, in such as way that they work to close and not expand achievement gaps.

2. What project, initiative, or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of how our learning technology team has collaboratively worked to develop an in-house technology survey which is used to specifically generate data round the needs of our students and teachers in terms of which technologies best support their learning. This survey was designed to be filter-able along various student academic and demographic lines, so that we can determine which technologies have the greatest impact on student engagement and closing achievement gaps.

I’m also quite proud of our digital equity report, which uses data to make recommendations on technologies to our various division departments

3. What are your top 3 priorities over the next few years?

Instructionally: Closing achievement gaps through effective technology integration and leveraging AI in the classroom while teaching towards it’s potential pitfalls.

IT: Increasing cybersecurity threat readiness.

4. Technology evolves at such a high rate–what are some of the school IT innovations you see coming down the pipeline, and which are you most excited for?

Artificial intelligence as it applies to shifting the landscape of learning, while also preparing students to use it ethically.

5. What advice would you give to other school IT leaders and school IT teams?

Collaborate with instructional leaders! As technology leaders, it can be easy to become bogged down by the “IT” aspects of our role and lose sight of the larger mission of education. Sometimes, the unique nature of working for schools requires that we think differently and in more diverse ways to meet diverse student needs. Always create pathways to keep instruction and students in the conversation.

For more news on IT leadership and innovation, visit eSN’s IT Leadership page.

In partnership with CoSN, eSchool News is highlighting the innovative and dedicated work of IT leaders in school districts across the country.

The spotlight is on Mike Daugherty, Director of Technology and Innovation in Ohio’s Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District.

1. What is your biggest IT challenge today?

Cybersecurity continues to be a major challenge for K-12. Schools often do not have the resources to invest in adequate cybersecurity measures. They may also lack the time and expertise to implement and maintain these measures effectively. The lack of funding, time, and expertise to address these concerns at the district level make it the most significant IT issue schools are facing.

2. What project, initiative, or accomplishment are you most proud of?

Our district is embracing artificial intelligence. We are working to provide professional development on various generative artificial intelligence tools to our staff this year. We are focusing on the efficiencies AI can create, how AI can be used to increase student learning, and the ethics of using this new technology. We are excited to see how AI can transform education in the coming years. We believe that this technology has the potential to improve student learning, increase teacher productivity, and make education more accessible to all students.

3. What are your top 3 priorities over the next few years?

AI, cybersecurity, and interoperability

4. Technology evolves at such a high rate–what are some of the school IT innovations you see coming down the pipeline, and which are you most excited for?

Generative artificial intelligence (GIA) is the next big edtech advancement that I expect will impact students in the coming years. GIA is a type of AI that can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way. This means that students will soon be able to use GIA to complete their homework, write essays, and even create their own works of art.

However, GIA also poses some challenges for educators. For example, how will we create assessments that cannot be easily completed by GIA? How will we ensure that students are using GIA for the right purposes and not simply plagiarizing content? These are all questions that educators will need to address as GIA becomes more widespread.

I believe that the best way to address these challenges is to teach students how to use GIA effectively. This includes teaching them how to write prompts that generate the response they are looking for, how to fact-check that response, and how to cite the portions of the response they use. By teaching students how to use GIA responsibly, we can ensure that they are using this powerful tool to enhance their learning, not to cheat.

I am excited to see how GIA will impact education in the coming years. I believe that it has the potential to revolutionize the way we teach and learn. However, it is important that we address the challenges that GIA poses early on so that we can ensure that it is used for good.

5. What advice would you give to other school IT leaders and school IT teams?

Building relationships is essential for CTOs to be successful. This means making time to walk the halls, visit classrooms, and be visible in the school community. Be present and approachable. Listen to people’s concerns. Figure out how to say Yes when possible. By developing these relationships, you can gain the trust and support of teachers, staff, and students. This will be key when rolling out new initiatives or pushing for change.

For more news on IT leadership and innovation, visit eSN’s IT Leadership page.

Key points:

• The reality is that today, IT leaders may have to do more with less
• Cybersecurity staffing shortage is districts’ top concern
• The modern CIO’s role is changing–here’s how to keep up
• For more news on the IT workforce, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

Nine out of ten K-12 tech leaders expect their IT asset inventories will grow in 2024, while almost half (48 percent) predict their IT budgets will diminish, according to a new survey by Incident IQ, a workflow management platform built for K-12 schools, which recently polled Technology Leadership Council members. 

Nonetheless, these IT leaders were clear in their determination to minimize the impact on students of any budget cuts. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) said that maintaining device access is one of their big goals for the year, and a solid 87 percent of respondents stated that sustaining 1:1 initiatives at their current levels is a top priority for 2024. 

“Even as we remain committed to providing districts with all the tech support they need, the reality is that today, IT leaders may have to do more with less,” said Sarah Lawrence, Assistant Director of Technology Support at Mukilteo School District. “To meet these growing demands, we’ll have to shift our processes and platforms to focus on workflow technology that is efficient, cost-effective and streamlined. Only in doing so will we be able to make progress in our core mission, which is to help students learn.”

Three-quarters of the surveyed IT leaders named device loss or breakage as the biggest challenge they had faced for student devices in 2023. When asked what kept them awake at night for 2024, 78 percent reported it was cybersecurity threats and 61 percent pointed to staff shortages, with 44 percent stating they won’t be able to sustain their current staffing level over the next three years.

“Our survey participants have highlighted a major trend for 2024, which is the need for a laser focus on IT operational efficiencies and program sustainability,” said R.T. Collins, CEO of Incident IQ. “That’s why one of our primary objectives this year will be to support districts in lowering their device loss or breakage rates by continuing to enhance IT workflow and asset management tools for our users.”

Incident IQ distributed a survey to the thirty members of the Technology Leadership Council in December of 2023, and received 23 responses. The goal was to identify dominant trends in K-12 technology and the challenges that IT leaders will face in 2024. The Technology Leadership Council comprises school technology leaders from around the country, selected to provide insight and expertise regarding the forces that are shaping the next generation of K-12 support tools.

This press release originally appeared online.

Key points:

• Edtech investments should support better student outcomes
• How to direct a districtwide tech transformation on a budget
• The modern CIO’s role is changing–here’s how to keep up
• For more news on tech management, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

Ask anyone involved in public education right now and you’ll hear a familiar refrain: “Too many technology tools.” Almost every K-12 district brought on new technology solutions during the pandemic, accelerating an already fast pace of tool adoption. With the pressure to solve problems fast, many of these ended up being separate, niche point solutions. In the 2022 to 2023 school year, school districts used an average of more than 2,591 different solutions. It’s no wonder so many K-12 families, educators, and staff members are exhausted and stressed by technology overload. Help is coming, but not necessarily in the ideal way: with ESSER funding running out, districts are re-evaluating the impact and scope of edtech solutions.

Evaluating the impact of edtech solutions is a logical thing to do. But there’s a reason why so many of these solutions were adopted. In many cases, they’re innovative and deeply aligned to what educators need to do their jobs well. With consolidation and cuts, I fear a return to the old days of dated, clunky, poorly built tools that get in the way of the work educators do.

Easy-to-use, integrated solutions can support student success. These five considerations can help districts choose solutions that will strike the right balance to consolidate tools, delight users, and drive student success.

Choose user-friendly edtech solutions

Solutions must be easy to use to increase the likelihood of widespread adoption within the district. Opt for solutions that foster a seamless, consistent, and user-friendly experience. Given the diverse range of technology proficiency among educators, the onboarding process must be easy for everyone who will be using the solution, regardless of experience level. Choosing intuitive, easy-to-use solutions with repeatable workflows will help to save educators’ time and maximize impact.

Consider teacher input and feedback

Educators juggle myriad responsibilities daily, making it crucial to select solutions that streamline their tasks and make their lives easier. Get feedback from people who are using the tools every day by including educators in your conversations about which edtech solutions to invest in. Additionally, seek input from educators across your district regarding the solutions their colleagues in other districts find effective. Involving educators in these discussions not only provides valuable feedback but also uncovers new ideas that directly address the needs of those who will use them. This empowers the entire K-12 community to achieve success.

Select solutions that turn student data into actionable insights

When educators can see and apply real-time student-level data, they are better equipped to help students succeed. Having accurate, well-organized, uniform data across systems, displayed in context, empowers educators with timely and efficient access to the information they need. Look for solutions that offer data visualizations and analysis features, facilitating a clearer understanding and actionable insights. Solutions that enable educators to leverage data without requiring a background in data science or technical experience will have a positive impact on their ability to take the right next steps to help improve student outcomes. By prioritizing solutions that place data directly in the hands of educators, districts can break down silos and ensure information reaches those who can wield it most effectively for maximum impact.

Look for evidence-based solutions that drive student success

As districts assess their edtech investments, they should prioritize choosing solutions grounded in research. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that federal funds be allocated only to programs that meet certain standards of evidence-based interventions. Looking for solutions with ESSA badges can help district leaders make sure they’re investing in edtech solutions that have demonstrated efficacy through rigorous research, fostering an environment conducive to driving student success.

Evaluate edtech solution utilization and impact on success

A solution that is not being adopted by educators in the district is not going to improve student success. District leaders need to regularly evaluate who is using the solutions they’re investing in. If educators aren’t embracing a particular solution, leaders need to dig deeper into the trend. Data on who is using each solution can help district leaders make informed investments in tools that support both students and educators.

The right edtech solutions can help districts to make sure all students thrive by supporting students, families, and educators. By examining key factors and approaching edtech investments with student success at the center of decisions, districts can make sure technology investments are supporting the ultimate goal of better student outcomes while managing the experience of educators.

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on CoSN’s blog and is reposted here with permission.

Key points:

• CTOs should maintain critical relationships for efficient school technology processes
• The journey to digital sustainability: A CIO’s perspective
• How to direct a districtwide tech transformation on a budget
• For more news on district CTOs, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

One of our jobs as CTOs is developing great relationships with other district leaders. IT touches every aspect of the modern K-12 district, and our success, as well as the success of the district, relies on our ability to build and maintain these relationships.

All relationships are important, but the ITS and Facilities relationship cannot be overstated. From the simplest ‘thorns in our sides’ to the most wicked challenges, our relationship with the facilities leaders can pay off in big ways.

Simple  example – IU5 and the generator

IU5 is a service agency. We provide professional development and other services for districts at our main facility. Our Executive Director was unhappy when we had to send hundreds of teachers and administrators home during a power outage. We were in the process of bidding a generator for just the data center. After the power event, we were instructed to ensure the entire facility could stay powered up for an extended period. We initially worked with facilities to solve the problem, and in 2004, the Caterpillar generator was installed. Jump ahead 19 years, and we were experiencing inconsistent startups (30-40 second blackouts before the generator would start and provide power) when power failure events happened. The maintenance company was having difficulty isolating the problem. Through collaboration with facilities, we captured multiple data points about what was happening from the point of failure until the generated power was active. This data proved instrumental in finding the problem and finding a resolution. Teamwork is fantastic–especially when the relationship is conducive to making it happen instantly.

A complex example – Curtis and the “Not a Tornado”

On August 10, 2023, at about 10:30 pm, the central part of Wichita Falls was hit by what is being labeled as a microburst. It looks pretty similar to a tornado in damage capability. It removed most of the roof and toppled a wall at our alternative education center only three working days before the start of the 23-24 school year. Phones started ringing around 11:00 pm that same evening, and those relationships that had been built before that event were put to the test. I’m proud that the trust relationship between Technology, Maintenance, and Fixed Assets was already strong. This allowed us to trust one another’s judgment and rapidly move toward a common goal. On Friday morning, while the rest of the staff was at Convocation, these three teams were hard at work stripping all the salvageable equipment from the damaged campus. We were then able to coordinate together to rebuild that campus completely at a previously abandoned location. There were simultaneous efforts from Warehouse personnel delivering items to the “new” campus, Technology installing networking, classroom, and security hardware, Maintenance performing last-minute repairs, and Fixed Assets rounding up surplus items to complete the puzzle. We had this empty campus up and running again for the start of school on Wednesday. The timely coordination required focus, grit, and respect for the needs of each department. This could have never been accomplished between silos or dysfunctional leadership. So put in the effort today to build those bridges between other departments and leaders, for you never know when a “Not a Tornado” could roll through your own life.

Build the relationship now

These examples are some of the many reasons that having a solid relationship with your facilities team is essential to the successful technology support of any school organization. However, you do not want to wait for an emergency to build the relationship. Make a concerted effort to build those relationships now so they will be there when needed.

Key points:

• School districts are ready to be transformed by reliable optimized wired and Wi-Fi networks
• Cybersecurity staffing shortage is districts’ top concern
• The modern CIO’s role is changing–here’s how to keep up
• For more news on school networks, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

In 2024, Wi-Fi and wired networks are critical infrastructure for educational organizations. Thanks to the continuous push for digitally literate students and interactive, immersive, and connected eLearning environments, chief technology officers (CTOs) are responsible for networks that must support greater demand than ever before.

There are three top technologies for school district CTOs to consider when planning for the health and longevity of their wired and Wi-Fi networks. Addressing these three key areas–video collaboration, the 6GHz migration, and network automation–will prepare networks to meet the needs of today’s and future students.

Optimize video collaboration for seamless connectivity

Video collaboration applications place substantial demands on networks because they use real-time data. If networks are unreliable, even with intermittent problems, video applications will take a hit. When this software is used to support virtual learning and to supplement classroom instruction, it must operate smoothly and without interruption.

Problems can result in teachers being forced to adapt lesson plans on the fly, students not receiving complete instructions, or learning goals being missed. This can lead to frustration in the classroom.

CTOs want the best for their students. Prioritizing network designs that support video collaboration is one way to ensure the best is always possible. This takes:

• Complete network and application visibility.
• Proactive alerts before issues affect end users.
• Video collaboration testing of key end-to-end metrics to determine how capable a network is of supporting video platforms.

A best practice is to work with one or more solutions that will deliver these capabilities automatically. This reduces the burden for IT teams and ensures that all analytics are delivered consistently and continuously. Once CTOs know how a network is performing and what demand it is under, leaders can make the most effective use of their resources and design a network that reliably delivers video collaboration support.

6GHz and Wi-Fi 6E for next generation technologies

6E devices and the 6GHz spectrum they operate in provide the following benefits for schools:

• Lower latency across the board and instantaneous network responses for real time applications.
• Faster data rates and designated bandwidth for users for improved user experience.
• Reduced network overcrowding due to 6E devices not using the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands.

While the adoption of Wi-Fi 6E, the 6GHz frequency band, and the significant improvements these technologies can deliver are exciting, there are important strategies for CTOs to keep in mind as they prepare for the upgrade.

This is the first time in over a decade that a new frequency band has been made available. There could be members of a CTO’s professional team who have never participated in an adoption like this. It’s important to remember that there’s no rush, these technologies aren’t going anywhere, and a school district can’t be transformed overnight–nor does it need to be. Moving forward at a pace that makes the most sense for your district, making changes where they will have the most benefit first, testing for interoperability issues–all of this will ensure the adoption is seamless, delivering the best ROI possible.

CTOs’ teams must be able to:

• Analyze end user metrics to predict which schools or school areas need the upgrade first.
• Redesign AP deployment to better provide 6GHz connectivity.
• Analyze network performance to ensure redesigns don’t cause roaming issues.
• Continuously manage all possible security risks – a possibility during any transition.
• Compare network performance before and after the transition to ensure the desired benefits are delivered.
• Watch and analyze three frequency bands (2.4, 5, and 6GHz) 24/7.

CTOs who bring these capabilities onboard will personalize the transition process, ensuring the most rewarding experience for their unique schools.

Network automation for improved, worry-free performance

Ultimately, CTOs need to provide complete assurance that both wired, and Wi-Fi networks are reliable and optimized at all times. AI-driven network automation solutions provide this assurance. These solutions automatically detect, notify, and mitigate wired and Wi-Fi network problems using artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Here’s why they are a major trend for educational institutions. They support:

• Connectivity for eLearning, online assessments, and emerging technologies with:
  • Constant, real-time monitoring and analysis of network behavior.
  • Automated historical analytics for long-term performance trends.
  • End user experience metrics so CTOs know whether the network is meeting educational needs.
  • Wired and Wi-Fi network tests.

• Reduced network downtime and fewer network issues thanks to:
  • Proactive identification of existing and potential wired and Wi-Fi network issues.
  • Elimination of network mysteries through the identification of the root cause of issues.
  • Automatic alerts to IT for all issues.

• Supported educators and staff because solutions:
  • Scale cost effectively, supporting hundreds to thousands of devices.
  • Provide remote, automated troubleshooting to cut down on travel for IT.
  • Deliver future-proofed optimization (if vendor agnostic).

Work with network automation solutions to restore time and energy to IT professionals and take the complexity out of network optimization.

Future-proofing the best way

School districts in 2024 are ready to be transformed by technology and reliable, optimized wired and Wi-Fi networks. CTOs that use automation, AI, and machine learning to understand their users’ needs and network behavior will support seamless connectivity and improved learning across their districts.

Key points:

• Careful planning, open communication, and strong partnerships are key parts of digital sustainability
• Balancing sustainability and innovation in education
• K-12 tech innovation is driving a paradigm shift in education
• For more news on digital sustainability, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

I recently had the privilege of co-presenting a session on digital sustainability with UDT at FETC this past January. Meeting with other education technology and instructional leaders affirmed how multi-faceted and critical digital sustainability is for school districts right now.

My unique path to serving as Chief Information Officer for Orange County Public Schools has enabled me to experience our district’s digital transformation from multiple perspectives. I began at OCPS as a first-grade teacher before joining the district’s teaching and learning team, where I helped plan our five-year 1:1 device rollout for 280k students. In August 2023, I transitioned from teaching and learning to IT.

Given our district’s size, we distributed devices to 30 or 40 schools at a time beginning in 2014/2015. The year before a rollout, we’d begin training the teachers and upgrading any necessary infrastructure at the school level. By the time the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we were almost done with the rollout. However, this created an interesting dynamic. We had schools with devices that were 5 or 6 years old, schools with brand new devices, and classrooms with equipment approaching 6 to 7 years old. As we were finishing our 1:1 rollout, we also had to consider updating and refreshing all these devices.

This disparity made us realize that we needed to implement a robust digital sustainability strategy to deliver equitable and secure digital learning opportunities to all OCPS students.

To be successful, we have separated our approach into four key areas:

1. Devices: This includes distributing, collecting, replacing, and repairing devices, as well as giving schools the timeline needed to adjust to district decisions. It also involves managing accessories, like chargers, which students often lose. A laptop without a charger is essentially non-existent in your fleet, so we had to develop an in-depth plan for managing and replacing chargers.

Mitigating the impact of breakage rates has been a learning process. For example, we originally did not put our devices in cases. Introducing cases has led to a 50 percent drop in breakage. We have also changed our model to ensure students get their original device back after repairs, which encourages them to take better care of their devices.

2. Infrastructure: We need to think beyond the device and consider our entire digital infrastructure. If we do not have enough broadband to facilitate seamless learning experiences, our students will suffer. Additionally, as interactive whiteboards and other components age, we need to decide how we will pay for replacements.

3. Access: As CIO of OCPS, I am often reminded of the delicate balance that must be maintained between access and security. Our devices are not for IT; they are for our teachers and students. Our role in IT is to ensure these devices work and provide the access needed for effective teaching and learning. Teachers want quick access to resources, and we strive to provide that. However, we also have a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our network and data. One way we achieve the balance is through our software request process. This process allows us to check that the requested site has a privacy policy that aligns with our district’s guidelines.

Communicating the ‘why’ behind our actions to teachers, parents, and other stakeholders is critical as we navigate the complex landscape of providing access to resources while maintaining security. We may need to convey it multiple times and in ways that parents and teachers understand, but it’s a crucial part of maintaining the balance between access and security.

4. Security: With the number of devices on a school district’s network, security is a massive concern and needs to be part of every conversation. The moment we power a device and start using it, we introduce risk. The sophistication of cyber threats is increasing, and schools need to adopt a layered approach to security.

No matter your size, school districts are going to need partners to help safeguard their digital learning environments and streamline their fleet management processes. Our own partnerships provide expertise that is not native inside our district and help our organization function more effectively.

As we move into 2024, we know we will be challenged every day. However, with careful planning, open communication, and strong partnerships, we are confident in our ability to sustain our 1:1 device program and continue to provide our students with the tools they need for success.

Key points:

• Admins can take risks, learn to use new tools, and relying on the partners
• Solving the IT staffing challenge in K-12 education
• Now is the time to plan for next year’s technology upgrades
• For more news on IT transformations, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

Irvington Public Schools is an urban district with the hometown feeling of a place where everyone knows each other. Our student body is predominantly Black, but we are quite diverse and have many cultures represented among our students. Approximately 20 percent of our scholars speak English as a second language.

I have been with the district for 20 years, though I didn’t become the superintendent until April 2020. When I came into the office, I had a tech-focused vision for the future of our district, but the pandemic was beginning to force us to move in that direction anyway, albeit without the careful consideration and planning we would have preferred. I gave our technology department marching orders to get every student and every teacher on a Chromebook and trained in the Google Suite within two weeks. It was immensely stressful for them, but they got it done and we haven’t looked back.

Here’s how we brought our district into the future without breaking our budget.

Beginning a technological evolution

When I first became an administrator in the 2013-14 school year, I started a coding initiative. I believed technology would be powerful for our scholars and I wanted everyone to have access to it, but only one student in the entire school signed up for the program.

Fast forward 10 years, and now thousands of scholars in our district are learning to code in elementary school using engaging, hands-on tools like Ozobots, Lego Spike, and VR Labs–and that’s just where their tech journeys begin.

We also have Chromebooks for every student and 3D printers and interactive whiteboards in our classrooms. We even bought virtual reality headsets that allow our scholars to visit places they might never see otherwise, a powerful way to bring cross-curricular learning to life for students. One thing I appreciate about the headsets is that they really highlight the belief that technology does not have to exist in its own standalone class, or even be the main point of any activity it’s used in. Sometimes it’s just a way to excite students, to immerse them in a different perspective or experience than they might otherwise have access to.

Our tech director, John Amberg, does an excellent job staying on the cutting edge of technology and finding ways to share it with our students. Not only did he help launch our first STEAM academy, he was instrumental in putting together our first AI community summit, and we are now preparing to open an AI academy.

Finding the funding (and partners) for a tech makeover

In order to fund these exciting initiatives, we have been able to leverage state and federal funds–specifically, ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds–and have secured various grants. We can (and will!) always hope for more funding. Regardless, our goal is to ensure that our scholars are exposed to what’s happening in the world, whether that’s new AI tools or Elon Musk’s new project. To that end, we have a department called Government Programs that seeks out and applies for grants, and we direct a certain amount of each school’s funding toward technology.

We spent time and resources to conduct research prior to making decisions, which has proven to be a sound investment. Part of that research is looking at what other districts do and reaching out to their leadership when I see something I admire. I’m part of several different superintendents’ groups, but I belong to one core group in which we share everything we’re doing so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. It can be hard to build those relationships with neighboring districts because everyone wants to stand out and be the best district in the area, but nearby superintendents can make incredible partners. We have our STEAM academy right now because I had two phenomenal partners who let me visit their districts to see how their technology and systems worked.

During any large technology adoption, it’s important to partner with a vendor who has a human touch and can be consistently relied upon. They may be tech gurus, but if they don’t understand your entry points and where you want to go from that point–or you can’t reach them when things aren’t going well–it doesn’t matter how great their technical understanding is. We partnered with Bluum to provide a range of technology, including Ozobots, virtual reality headsets, 3D printers, interactive flat panels, Chromebooks, and more. It all works together to create a comfortable, user-friendly experience for both educators and students.

Using professional development to earn teacher buy-in

The transition was hard for some educators because none of us wants to look like we don’t know what we’re doing in front of a classroom of young scholars. Some teachers also felt like we were telling them how to teach. I stressed that the change wasn’t about the technology, but about our scholars. We need to meet them at their entry points, and technology is a powerful entry point for young people today. Another thing that has helped is reminding all our teachers what a powerful and wonderful teachable moment it is when a teacher has the opportunity to show their scholars that everyone needs some help sometimes and everyone, even students, can be in a position to teach from time to time. That’s a valuable lesson for our scholars.

We provided our teachers plenty of professional development on how to use all these new tools to make their teaching more efficient, convenient, and engaging. I use the analogy of a dark room. No one has to go into it alone. I’ll hold your hand and go in with you and I’ll make sure you have support there in the form of technology coaches, technicians, and others who can provide one-on-one help. You may not be able to see everything around you and you might feel afraid and vulnerable, but you have the support to stay safe and find a light switch. Through this work, we have made new technology non-threatening, which has been successful. We had teachers on the verge of retiring after 30-40 years in the classroom that caught a second wind amid all these transformations.

It has made a difference in our scholars’ lives, too. One of our scholars recently achieved a perfect score on our mathematics statewide assessment. We asked her how she did it, and she told us that she was using the Chromebook and one of the programs we provided, iReady, to practice at home every night. She wouldn’t have had that ability without our tech initiatives, but those tools and her own hard work enabled her to excel in an area that she doesn’t even consider her best.

As administrators, we can’t be afraid to get out on a ledge. All that does is limit our scholars to what we already know and understand. We ask our students to be vulnerable and take risks every day. We can model that behavior by taking risks and learning to use new tools ourselves and relying on the partners and team members we have to hold our hands in the dark.

Key points:

• CIOs are up against the status quo as they strive for digital transformation
• How to make secure K-12 digital transformation a reality
• Solving the IT staffing challenge in K-12 education
• For more news on digital transformation, visit eSN’s IT Leadership page

Eighty-eight percent of CIOs say their role is becoming more digital and is increasingly focused on innovation, which begs the question: How is education, a notoriously slow industry, going to keep pace with digital transformation?

During a session at FETC 2024, Marlon Shears, CIO of IDEA Public Schools, offered a realistic view of what CIOs across all sectors are prioritizing and how digital transformation is driving changes and investments in education.

Defining digital transformation, though, isn’t quite as easy as it sounds, because digital transformation will look different for every organization. But while there’s no set definition, in general, such transformation can be defined as the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, creating fundamental change around how business operates and how the business delivers value to stakeholders, Shears said.

But to drive this transformation, CIOs must challenge the status quo and must be comfortable with failure, Shears said.

“You must challenge, ‘We don’t do that here,’” he said. “You have to become the leader who challenges that. You may not always be liked, but you have to build a culture where you can lean in and trust one another to take on that digital transformation. It’s not an overnight success story.”

In pursuit of transformation, CIOs must be comfortable with failure. “This is one of the hardest ones,” Shears added. “No one’s perfect when you’re trying to change, integrate, and do different things to bring value into your organization. If we’re not comfortable failing, if the organization isn’t comfortable with us failing, are we really doing digital transformation? You have to push that to your superintendent.”

CIOs across other industries are prioritizing AI—80 percent are spending their time on AI and machine learning, up from 55 percent in 2023, according to new research on CIOs. Seventy percent are focused on cybersecurity, and 61 percent are focused on data privacy and compliance.

Challenges include staffing and skills shortages, changing business conditions, addressing security threats, and budgetary constraints/demonstrating ROI.

CIOs are looking for their tech budgets to increase in 2024, citing needs for security improvements, to keep pace with rising costs of tech and services, investments in emerging technologies such as AI, investments in new skills and talent, and modernizing or migrating infrastructure.

“Digital transformation isn’t just computers–it’s how to get your organization to the next level,” he said. “This is something we’ve all started, but we also need to know where we want to go. It means bold choices.”

AI isn’t the only acronym poised to create vast improvements in the way we teach and learn. Last month, eSchool attended “XR Training: The Next Frontier of Learning,” hosted by Transfr Inc. The event featured many speakers including CEO Bharani Rajakumar (pictured above), developers, and users in the corporate, not-for-profit, and government sectors that use simulation software to enhance job training programs. 

Conversations touched on a wide variety of topics from the distinctions of spatial computing, to how XR can reduce the skills gap, to how its application can become a powerful force in underserved communities. It was a great opportunity to listen to some of the leading experts in the field, get our chance to try the gear firsthand and hear how the tech is already impacting lives. Scroll down for some highlights of the sessions and some examples of the simulations in action.

Extended reality (XR) is considered a catch-all term for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality technologies. The technology intends to combine or mirror the physical world with a “digital twin world” able to interact with it, which gives users an immersive experience by being in a virtual or augmented environment.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the US Census Bureau, around 11 million people are either looking for a job or would look for one if they had the necessary skills. Transfr focuses on areas like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare, where almost 4 million job opportunities exist that don’t require a 4-year degree. The company believes in allowing everyone to pursue upward mobility by learning about their interests and acquiring the necessary skills.

The company has created over 300 training simulations, offering immersive experiences in aviation maintenance, diesel technology, and, more recently, healthcare. The introduction of Career Exploration 2.0 allows students to explore various career options through shorter, more engaging simulations, including new modules in health sciences and future occupations like electric vehicles and semiconductors. The platform has seen significant developments, including a new VR application for Career Exploration 2.0 with login options, diverse virtual coaches, multi-language support (including Spanish in 2024), closed captioning, and an enhanced dashboard for easier classroom management. Transfr has also launched a Career Exploration dashboard that helps instructors track students’ exploration paths and preferences, facilitating better guidance.

You can check out some of their simulation examples below:

The cutting-edge technology has implications beyond just improving job training. I had the opportunity to chat with Joe Jordan, the President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Indiana, about how XR simulation training can help close the skills gap.

He envisions XR technology becoming an essential project within his organization, fostering economic development and providing essential skills for youth. The collaboration with Transfer is seen as a win-win proposition, aligning technology companies with educational institutions to create solutions for the benefit of the community.

The Boys and Girls Club’s partnership with Transfer demonstrates a holistic approach to child development, leveraging technology to bridge educational gaps, create opportunities, and contribute to economic development, all while emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships. Have a listen:

Key points:

• There’s much to learn about securely introducing new tech into the classroom
• See article: Solving the IT staffing challenge in K-12 education
• See article: Now is the time to plan for next year’s technology upgrades
• Discover where K-12 tech innovation can take you

There is no shortage of devices on a school campus between students, faculty, and educators. Not only are there school-mandated devices, but the rise of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) linked to the school’s network has the potential to cause major strain on a school’s IT system, both from campus and at home.

In today’s digital age, one student alone might be using two or three different devices for their schoolwork – that’s more surfaces for security threats to creep in than ever before. Not only is personal device use on the rise, but since 2020, there has been a 19 percent average increase in the overall use of learning technologies.

As teachers and students alike are looking to implement the latest tech to improve lessons and streamline learning, there is a lot to learn when it comes to safely and securely introducing new technology into the classroom.

IT 101: Self-service procedures and remote support

No matter the size of an educational institution, IT departments are typically stretched thin while also working with a limited budget. For small tech teams, it’s essential to ensure as many people as possible are able to help manage the business-critical infrastructure like phone systems, internet connectivity, and remote educational tools, to minimize downtime and poor user experiences. Setting up a self-service tool can significantly streamline upkeep for these systems, allowing school staff to troubleshoot smaller issues without taking up the IT team’s time and resources. 

Remote support and management solutions also play a critical role in keeping technologies running smoothly, especially for problems that are too complex for regular faculty to solve on their own.  With it, IT teams can remotely view the device or software experiencing issues, investigate the problem, and guide staff through the fix or remotely take control and troubleshoot the problem directly – all from any location. That saves valuable time and resources, allowing teams to solve issues for teachers and students in the classroom, at home, or elsewhere.

Regularly updating your IT plans and solutions

The key to any successful classroom is ensuring the curriculum remains as up to date and relevant as possible. This holds true for IT teams, too. Students regularly use virtual collaboration tools, online chat rooms, machine-powered learning assistants, and more recently, AI-powered tools in and out of the classroom. McKinsey found that in 2022, “technologies that enable connectivity and community building, such as social media–inspired discussion platforms and virtual study groups, saw [a 49 percent] uptick in use, followed by group work tools, which grew by 29 percent.” These technologies are helping shape the education system, and IT professionals are a driving force behind making them accessible – and reliable – for students and teachers. 

Emerging technologies require teachers, students, and IT teams to develop new skills. IT teams should collaborate with educators to understand what technologies teachers want to implement in the classroom and to ensure that these technologies are deployed and used properly. A great way to foster that collaboration is by hosting regular meetings outlining recent technology updates, offering onboarding sessions, and providing a platform to answer questions that can help with initial adoption pains. 

While the COVID-induced learn-from-home era accelerated the adoption of technologies used for remote learning, faculty and students in classrooms or wherever the learning takes place are still challenged when adopting new technologies. By offering remote support tool options for educators, IT teams can bridge gaps between the classroom and tech. With a plethora of remote support tools available, IT departments should look for solutions that are simple and user-friendly for non-technical faculty members or students to receive assistance. Adopting support solutions that offer state-of-the-art security and effective troubleshooting functionality is vital in streamlining the problem-resolution process. 

A lesson in crisis planning

Today, it is hard to keep pace with the constant influx of new devices and technologies that education systems leverage. The rapid changes to the environment increase the risk to security and privacy. In fact, “the educational services industry [recently experienced] a dramatic increase in ransomware attacks, accounting for over 30 percent of breaches.” 

The rise in education sector cyberattacks proves why school districts, higher-level institutions, and IT leaders need to take the lead in cybersecurity crisis planning, outlining how to identify, respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents. 

To reduce the risk, schools should focus on choosing products with proven built-in security measures, such as 256-bit AES encryption, multi-factor authentication, and zero trust network access, enabling students and staff to securely connect with multiple platforms and devices, while also proactively protecting against threats.

Educational decision-makers should also invest in IT remote management tools that are easy to deploy, use, update, and manage. Such tools will not only reduce cost, and improve efficiency of IT teams, but will be essential when responding to and recovering from a cybersecurity incident if the need arises. 

It’s an exciting time for the education sector as emerging technologies open a realm of opportunities for both faculty and students. With the above IT security measures and best practices in place, schools can reap the benefits of these tools while also keeping their students and faculty safe from cyberattacks.

Key points:

• A positive work environment goes a long way in staff retention
• Labor shortages are particularly persistent in the IT industry
• See related article: Now is the time to plan for next year’s technology upgrades
• For more on IT departments, visit eSN’s IT Leadership page

Even in the best of times, K-12 school districts often have a tough time recruiting and retaining IT employees, as it can be hard for budget-conscious districts to offer salaries and benefits that are competitive with those in the private sector. This challenge is further magnified by low unemployment and the fact that private-sector businesses are also struggling to hire IT talent right now.

While labor shortages are finally easing in the wake of the pandemic, IT is an industry where employers are still scrambling for workers. According to USA Today, 62 percent of job openings in the information sector go unfilled every month.

The lack of IT talent is a problem for all organizations, but it places an especially large burden on K-12 school systems. The Consortium for School Networking’s annual “State of Edtech Leadership” survey reveals that 56 percent of districts are understaffed when it comes to supporting classroom technology use, and hiring and retaining skilled personnel is the second leading IT challenge among school systems, trailing only budget constraints.

To solve the IT staffing challenge, K-12 leaders will have to try many approaches. Obviously, creating a positive work environment characterized by trust, respect, teamwork, and open communication can help foster a sense of community and keep IT employees engaged and motivated. However, here are four other important strategies that can help.

Empower your IT staff.

As best-selling author Daniel Pink writes in his book Drive, having autonomy is a powerful motivator for employees. Establishing a framework in which IT employees have the ability to offer input on important projects, be creative in their role, and make decisions or solve problems on their own can make their jobs more rewarding, while encouraging them to take ownership of their role.

Provide opportunities for professional growth.

The opportunity to develop mastery is another strong incentive for employees, Pink observes. With technology changing so rapidly, IT personnel continually need to develop new skill sets. Yet, many school systems fail to provide adequate professional learning opportunities for their IT staff.

According to CoSN’s survey, only 33 percent of school systems provide in-person training for their IT employees—and even fewer (28 percent) provide online training. Most IT departments stay up to date on their own, with 78 percent saying they’re self-taught. One IT leader was quoted in the survey as saying: “I feel that I am not adequately trained to wear all the hats that I wear in our small school. I know I have weaknesses, and I fear that those weaknesses will hurt the district.”

Providing training and mentorship opportunities for your IT staff not only makes them more effective; it’s also an important recruitment and retention strategy. Giving your employees avenues for career advancement can help you attract and retain top IT talent as well.

Emphasize the mission.

Having a strong and inspiring sense of purpose is yet another motivating factor, Pink writes—and this is an area where K-12 school districts might have an edge over many private-sector organizations.

In working for your school system, IT employees play a key role in supporting the academic and social-emotional development of students. Highlighting this benefit during the hiring process, and repeatedly reminding employees how their efforts contribute to student success, can go a long way toward recruiting IT staff and keeping them happy and engaged.

Give IT employees tools to do their jobs efficiently.

An important aspect of creating a positive work environment is making sure employees aren’t overstressed or burning out because they have too much work to do and not enough time to accomplish it all. Yet, given the budget constraints that many school systems operate under, it seems like IT staff constantly have to do more with less.

Think about how you might leverage technology to streamline key processes and help IT employees do their jobs more efficiently. By using the right tools and platforms, you can ease the burden on IT staff and make it easier for them to manage their workloads.

For instance, software can help IT staff manage, configure, and deploy teacher and student devices from a single, centralized console; see at a glance how technology is being used for instruction; manage software licenses more effectively; and instantly reset user passwords as needed. What’s more, modern service desk technology can automate important ticketing workflows and direct users to a user-friendly self-service portal, further reducing the workload for K-12 IT employees.

Reducing the stress that IT employees face, creating a positive workplace environment, and empowering them with autonomy, mastery, and purpose are critical steps in helping them achieve success and improving staff recruitment and retention. Although this is a complex problem that will require a system-wide approach to solving it, these five strategies are a good place for K-12 leaders to start.

Key points:

• Planning early gives ample time to examine technology upgrades
• A company specializing in IT upcycling or device buyback programs can help through the process
• See related article: How IT leaders tackle 7 digital asset management challenges
• For more news on IT innovations, visit eSN’s IT Leadership page

While school districts are well underway into their new year – and their new budget – many are already planning for the year ahead, and technology remains one of the top priorities schools focus on to keep their students, faculty, staff, and administration effectively moving forward.

There are significant advantages of planning technology upgrades over the winter, not the least of which is moving your school forward by giving your leadership team — including the technology and finance directors, as well as operations staff and even your school board —time to research, plan, and coordinate any upgrade initiatives that will need to happen over the summer. Here are just a few advantages to planning ahead of time for next year’s technology upgrades.

Comprehensive planning

Planning is essential to the success of any technology upgrade, and planning well ahead gives school districts time to assess current technology needs and goals for the future. This includes evaluating existing devices, software, and infrastructure to determine what needs to be replaced or upgraded.

With the help of technology experts, school districts can create a comprehensive plan that outlines the timeline, budget, and desired outcomes of the upgrade.

Many schools have varying devices with inconsistent ages and that can cause issues over time when it comes to quality, software updates, and the equity of devices. Districts should determine what is most important to them and what value add they need from technology. One of the most important parts of technology planning is knowing what you currently have and what students, faculty, and staff need from new devices.

Additionally, planning will allow schools to plan and respond to the end of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF). In 2020, after the onset of the pandemic, the program was created to provide funding to schools and libraries to purchase eligible equipment and services for students and teachers who lack connected devices, including laptops, tablets, or even broadband access. This funding expired in May 2023, so any district that once leveraged the funds will no longer be able to moving forward. Planning is essential to being able to continue providing reliable technology.

Minimizing disruptions to learning

By planning well in advance – during the winter months – for the upgrades during the summer months, school districts minimize disruptions to the learning environment. With students and teachers on break in the summer, the transition to new devices and systems can take place without interrupting classroom activities.

Allowing time to plan gives the technology department a thorough understanding of the project scope. Once the project planning is complete, IT can focus on the upcoming year when teachers and students can return to a refreshed and upgraded technology infrastructure, ready to start the new academic year smoothly.

Safe removal and asset management

When schools have the necessary time to find and engage with the right third-party technology company, they mitigate risk and ensure a return on their investments. The right partner can effectively manage this process, providing expert assistance in old technology removal, data wiping, and responsible upcycling. It also helps ensure all sensitive information is securely erased from devices, protecting the privacy of all students, faculty, and staff.  The right partner can also assess the residual value of retired devices and offer schools a return on their investments.

Schools across the country typically have to hire extra support over the summer to assist with device collection and inventory processes because it is such a large undertaking. However, districts can’t use that extra help to wipe devices and prepare them for upcycling because of the sensitive nature of data wiping. A third party provides the manpower needed to collect devices and safely prepare the technology for its next chapter.  They do the necessary provisioning and provide schools with an accurate starting point to deploy new devices. In the end, they know what they have and provide you with an expert forecast of what your devices are worth.

Efficient implementation of new technology

The implementation phase of technology upgrades requires careful coordination to ensure a smooth transition. Students may be out of the classroom, but there are still support staff and administrators using technology in the summer. Communication is important and a necessary step in letting staff and administrators know when the server will be down or when their new device will be activated.

Training and support

Introducing new technology to educators and students necessitates training and ongoing support. School districts can take advantage of summer institute days prior to the academic year and provide educators with the time needed to be fully trained on new technology, devices, or software.

Comprehensive training programs tailored to the needs of schools and ensuring teachers and staff are well-equipped to utilize new devices effectively is crucial. Troubleshooting assistance and addressing any technical concerns that may arise are also important considerations.

Device preparation and training is something that requires taking proactive measures to ensure schools are set up for success. There is never a “good” time to deploy devices, so schools need to understand where they are and where they should go by executing proper preparation and planning.

Planning for technology and device upgrades during the winter months is critical so you are ready to implement during summer break. It is a strategic approach that allows school districts to minimize disruptions to learning. Schools can streamline the process, from asset removal to the implementation of new technology with the help of a company specializing in IT upcycling or device buyback programs.

With an expertise in responsible disposal, device procurement, and ongoing support, these companies offer comprehensive solutions that ensure a seamless transition and maximize the benefits of technology in education. Embracing technology upgrades paves the way for a successful and technologically advanced learning environment.

Editor’s note: This story on 10 back-to-school resources for edtech leaders originally appeared on CoSN’s blog and is reposted here with permission.

1) Digital Equity Dashboard 

CoSN’s Digital Equity Dashboard is an innovative and practical tool designed to help school districts and communities leverage data to close digital equity gaps. This powerful instrument integrates various national data sets into one comprehensive dashboard. By anonymizing the data and breaking it down into county, school district and zip code units, the Digital Equity Dashboard provides school and community leaders with valuable data to inform decision-makers and address equity concerns.

• To learn more about how school districts and communities can effectively employ the dashboard, explore CoSN’s informative video tutorials.
• Take a deep dive into the Digital Equity Dashboard at our upcoming webinar on September 13, 2023. (All registrants will receive a recording of the Webinar.)
• Explore the Dashboard here.

2) AI in Education

The advent of Generative AI presents an unprecedented opportunity for K-12 institutions. CoSN Resources on AI offer insight, advice and peer experiences that will guide EdTech leaders in harnessing the power of AI to enhance learning. The AI in Education Community, along with resources, blogs and webinars, serves as a platform for discovering innovative strategies for schools and districts.

• Check out the CoSN Blog Series on Artificial Intelligence. 
• Watch the CoSN Webinar Series: Generative AI — The New School Supply? (Recording available here [member exclusive], Podcast here.)

3) Cybersecurity

In today’s digital landscape, safeguarding our schools’ networks and information is paramount. CoSN Tools and Resources on Cybersecurity empower EdTech leaders to analyze their current security status, reduce risks, and contribute to effective teaching and learning environments. CoSN resources include information on Planning; Prevention & Preparation; Implementation; and Response.

• Read the CoSN Cybersecurity Staffing Resource for K-12, which identifies and addresses staffing cybersecurity across the K-12 organization.
• Read “Making the Case for Increased Investment in Cybersecurity,” which identifies actions a school system IT staff can take to better defend IT infrastructure.
• Check out the Cybersecurity Leadership Game, a valuable group cybersecurity professional development tool.

4) 2023 Driving K-12 Innovation

CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation 2023 series continues to provide trend reports that support the integration of emerging technologies in education. With insights from a global advisory board of K-12 leaders, practitioners and changemakers, this initiative delves into the themes driving, hindering, and enabling teaching and learning innovation at schools.

• Check out CoSN blogs on K-12 Innovation — including Be a Catalyst for Change: 10 Expert Tips for Driving K-12 Innovation in the New School Year and How Learner Agency Can Accelerate Innovation — to learn more.
• Read about the Top 2023 Hurdles and Accelerators and Top 2023 Tech Enablers  driving K-12 innovation for the year ahead.
• Stay informed by signing up for the CoSN Roadmap to Innovation newsletter.

5) K-12CVAT

The CoSN K-12 Community Vendor Assessment Tool (K-12CVAT) offers a framework for K-12 schools, districts and education service districts to assess vendor risk. Before purchasing a third-party solution, ask the solution provider to complete the K-12CVAT tool to confirm that information, data and cybersecurity policies are in place to protect sensitive school system information and constituents’ PII. 

• Download the K-12 Community Vendor Assessment Tool.

6) Disaster Preparation

CoSN cybersecurity expert Amy McLaughlin testifies before U.S. Senate

Before a disaster strikes, it is incumbent upon school system IT personnel to have emergency operations plans in place to ensure continuity of learning. Natural disasters can be spontaneous events, requiring school system leaders to implement and train team members on procedures so that they can act swiftly. Administrative and school personnel should be able to assess damage quickly, update all stakeholders, bring critical systems back online, and resume operations as quickly as possible.

• Building a Learning Continuity Plan 
• Building Your Disaster Recovery “GO KIT” (member exclusive)
• Strategies for Building Information Security Governance (member exclusive)

7) Asset Management and Budgeting

In the face of tight IT budgets, assessing the costs and benefits of educational tech projects is crucial. CoSN provides the tools to assist K-12 districts in estimating overall expenses and advantages, which aids in project assessment, validation and long-term viability. Grasping the complete computing expenses is vital for strategic planning, budgeting, and adapting to shifting needs and technologies.

• Explore CoSN resources on Value of Investment (VOI), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Asset Disposal, Lifecycle Replacement planning and more. 
• Budgeting, TCO & VOI
• Implementing Asset Management (member exclusive)
• Implementing Asset Disposal (member exclusive)

Lifecycle Replacement Planning (member exclusive)

8) Trusted Learning Environment Seal (TLE Seal)

The CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal is the nation’s only privacy framework designed specifically for school systems. The TLE program helps K-12 schools and districts build strong, effective privacy programs and a culture of trust and transparency. 

• Access the TLE Self-Assessment tool.
• Preview the CoSN TLE Seal Application.

9) Fall Courses

CoSN’s online courses target the skill areas in CoSN’s Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO, offer CEA Credits for CETL® recertification, and access to course materials for a full year. Register now for Early Bird & Bulk Pricing discounts!

• Student Data Privacy: Laying the Foundation
• CETL Foundation
• Cybersecurity in K-12 Schools
• Project Management
• Cybersecurity Online Workshop 101

10) CoSN Blogs, Webinars and Podcasts

Rev up your EdTech journey through a world of FREE blogs from our vibrant CoSN Members. From AI to EdTech Leadership, Cybersecurity to K-12 Innovation, our blogs cover it all. But that’s not the end of the adventure! Join us for our timely webinars, tailor-made for EdTech leaders like you. Members enjoy them free, while non-members get in on the action at a small cost. And guess what? We’ve got podcasts too, so you can catch up on-the-go. 

Stay up-to-date with the latest through CoSN’s FREE weekly EdTech Dispatch newsletter! Subscribe today and explore insights, trends, and innovations in edtech. Plus, if you aren’t already, don’t miss the chance to enhance your network and knowledge by becoming a member of CoSN.

Search the CoSN Website by topic to find exactly what you need! 

Questions? Email Dr. Jill Brown of Professional Learning, jbrown@cosn.org.

Related: Schools are at a greater risk for cyberattacks than ever before

Key points:

• Poor digital asset management can lead to lost class time, missing devices, and lost funding
• Innovative approaches to asset management let K-12 educational institutions optimize their operations
• See related article: 5 ways our district streamlines edtech ecosystems

With kids out the school door for the summer, IT leaders now face the daunting task of organizing, identifying, and managing the many thousands of devices per district that have been in the hands of students over the past year. In K-12 education, the importance of digital asset management–from Chromebooks to iPads to chargers and more–cannot be overstated.

Schools and districts run the risk of wasting class time, losing valuable devices, and incurring financial losses if they fail to effectively manage the hardware, software and systems that are essential in today’s classrooms. Fortunately for IT leaders, powerful new digital solutions can be leveraged to address many logistical and functional challenges.

In addition, working to introduce a device stewardship model can help address the issues around devices being lost, forgotten, or carelessly handled. When students take responsibility for their technology, they become good stewards of their devices. And when a culture of good device stewardship is embedded across schools and districts, key asset management tasks become easier, more accurate, and more productive for all.

But most of us in educational IT aren’t there yet.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

I’ve seen the full array of challenges that exist in digital asset management because I’ve been working in K-12 technology for more than 15 years. I started out at Knox County Schools (KCS) in Tennessee as a technology teacher and eventually became the district’s IT asset management specialist, responsible for more than 80,000 Chromebooks across 94 locations, along with technology issue ticketing and asset management.

When it comes to managing digital devices in schools, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly–and that’s a bunch of middle schoolers handling anything breakable!

Top digital asset management challenges–and how to address them

Beyond the collision of adolescence and technology, there are a number of problems that school IT leaders continue to face when it comes to digital asset management. Here are the top challenges, along with suggestions to create greater visibility, communication, and accountability.

1. Outdated record-keeping systems: Deploying centralized record-keeping systems can help school IT departments meet the challenging task of maintaining accurate and up-to-date inventories of devices, ownership information and maintenance histories.

2. Difficulty in tracking missing devices: New technology can tag and track missing devices and identify missing tools and devices. Administrators can then take necessary steps to locate or replace them, minimizing financial losses and ensuring the availability of devices for future use.

3. Inefficient maintenance and repairs: Schools need to maintain comprehensive maintenance histories for devices, allowing for proactive repairs and minimizing downtime. This streamlines the maintenance process and ensures that devices are in optimal condition for student use.

4. Lack of streamlined device allocation and usage monitoring: Comprehensive device management systems allow schools to easily track devices, monitor their usage, and assign responsibilities to specific users or departments, optimizing device allocation and ensuring efficient usage.

5. Financial risks associated with accidental damages or losses: Offering optional insurance programs for devices provides families with the opportunity to protect against such risks and mitigates financial losses for both schools and families.

6. Insufficient planning for device replacements: By analyzing usage trends, device lifecycle, and future requirements, IT leaders can proactively budget for necessary device replacements, ensuring a seamless transition between academic years and avoiding unexpected financial burdens.

7. Too little communication, collaboration, and visibility: Providing a centralized platform for all stakeholders involved in the asset management process facilitates communication and visibility. This ensures clear lines of communication, seamless collaboration, and enhanced transparency among administrators and IT staff.

As the importance of technology in education continues to grow, so too does the need for efficient asset management processes. Schools and districts must recognize the significance of comprehensive device tracking, clear communication, and streamlined management systems.

By adopting modern, innovative approaches to asset management, K-12 educational institutions can optimize their operations, reduce financial losses, and enhance student learning experiences. With proper asset management, IT leaders can take the lead in helping schools unlock the full potential of digital devices, empowering educators and students alike.

Related:
How managed services empower edtech in small schools

Key points:

• Many school districts can’t afford constant technology upgrades and refreshes
• A managed services model can give districts more flexibility and more opportunities for savings
• See related article: How to make secure K-12 digital transformation a reality

The ever-present issue with technology is its inevitable obsolescence. No matter how groundbreaking an innovation may be, there always seems to be a superior alternative just a few steps away. This perpetual evolution presents a significant challenge for enterprises and large companies, forcing them into a costly predicament. For smaller companies operating on limited budgets, keeping pace with technology often necessitates making sacrifices elsewhere. This is where the concept of managed services proves invaluable.

Similarly, many not-for-profit organizations, like school districts, can’t afford to stay on top of the latest technologies. Even before a fiscal year starts, administrators have already earmarked the district’s limited funding for necessities like operation budgets, salaries, and health and nutrition programs.

Streamlining edtech integration: Small schools embrace DaaS

Managed services allow school districts to move from obsolete legacy IT systems without being bogged down by budget. Instead of brand-new IT equipment and hiring the necessary technical staff, managed services allow organizations to avail of these technologies on a subscription basis. Beyond solving the tech gap, they also cover maintenance, troubleshooting, and security.

Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) represents the latest innovation in managed services. Instead of the usual long-term agreement that comes with the outsourcing of IT hardware and services, DaaS provides the option of leasing the equipment on a monthly basis. Shorter commitments offer flexibility and significant cost savings to organizations with rapidly changing requirements.

Moreover, managed services come in two flavors—the main difference boiling down to hardware.

Option 1: Buying hardware with a managed services package

Using funds from the CARES Act, many school districts made recent hardware investments. However, these have yet to generate a healthy return on investment. Instead of opting for a DaaS subscription model, the district can enroll in a managed service package. This takes care of the school’s existing devices’ maintenance, management, and security.

Examples of this scenario are school districts that installed interactive touchscreen panels in all their classrooms. Designed to replace whiteboards as well as school projectors, these highly interactive devices are rated for use for over 50,000 hours. This roughly translates to a utility lifespan of 10 years.

Option 2: Leasing hardware with a managed services package

Meanwhile, school districts that avoided making substantial hardware investments during the pandemic can go directly into the DaaS option. This way, they can ensure that students will only use authorized devices. At the same time, only authorized content and official applications will appear on these devices.

More importantly, the managed service package included in the subscription actively updates and prepares all devices’ system software, firmware, and applications for use. It also means that a managed service IT team remains on standby to provide maintenance and security services to troubled devices at any time.

The central role of device management platforms

Whether subscribed to a DaaS model or to managed services, the IT team in charge will need reliable device management platforms. This ideal device manager maintains the primary role of monitoring, managing, and safeguarding each device connected to the school network. It ensures that only authorized users have access to each school device. In turn, each device must be configured to run the required software and can access the needed content.

Finally, the platform should also have the necessary tools to ensure that each connected device remains safe from unauthorized users and that any private data contained within remains safe from prying eyes.

Management

As part of its device management duties, the platform should provide administrators with the tools to create and assign various access levels for different stakeholder types. As such, admins can access system settings and perform the necessary procedures.

Users can launch applications and open, edit, and save documents. Instructors can manage connected users during remote classes, access student files, and administer lessons. Finally, school executives can look into user data and generate insights to help improve the overall learning experience.

Maintenance

IT admins can perform the needed software updates, patches, or rollbacks to each connected device using cloud connectivity. Whether it’s troubleshooting a single unit or updating the entire fleet, the managed services team can connect to each device remotely, access the tools and files from the cloud, and perform tasks without user intervention.

Security

Protecting each and every school device and its private data is priority #1 for any managed services team. With the right device management platform, schools can rest assured that all their devices remain compliant with privacy protocols such as GDPR, CCPA, and ISO.

Better yet, admins can remotely freeze or disable any device that unauthorized users are trying to access. Even if those malicious actors do successfully access the device, admins can remotely wipe its contents to prevent data theft. Similarly, admins can remotely activate geolocation services to initiate recovery efforts for devices reported lost or stolen.

Managed services and device management go hand-in-hand

When choosing the right managed services provider, you’ve got to make sure they check off all the boxes. That includes top-tier device management, maintenance, and security. Does their device management platform use cloud connectivity and robust security to keep all school devices secure, up-to-date, and ready for use?

The school district is responsible for guaranteeing that locals’ hard-earned tax dollars are being spent properly and are protected. A competent managed services company and a reliable device management platform go hand-in-hand in helping schools keep up with education technology while protecting those investments long-term.

Related:
3 ways a cloud-based ERP helps schools innovate
5 K-12 IT insights from IT leaders

Key points:

• More students and educators are connecting personal devices to school networks
• This makes network security–an already underfunded area–even more critical

The pandemic was a massive shift for school districts across the country, and even as we move out of it, we’re still feeling the impact. On the technical side, it prompted quick transformation to enable virtual schooling–and these changes were made as districts were already challenged by legacy technology, reduced budgets and understaffing. Existing problems were exacerbated.

In parallel, we’ve seen a rise in ransomware and other cyberattacks in the education sector. What’s needed is a digital transformation strategy that also prioritizes security.

A challenging landscape

There’s nothing mysterious or shocking about the rise in cyberattacks against the education sector. Today’s 21-century education requires up-to-date technology, but that’s a bigger risk for school IT teams. For instance, educational institutions are witnessing growth in the number of students, professors, and administrators who link personal devices to the network. A school district’s attack surface is expanded by this increased connection, making it more vulnerable to new threats.

And most schools are not equipped to deal with these threats; the Nationwide Cybersecurity Review (NCSR) risk-based assessment rates the cyber maturity score of K-12 schools at 3.55 out of 7. In fact, according to 29 percent of those responding to the K-12 Report, a cyber incident occurred in their district last year. Malware and ransomware were two of the most prevalent occurrences. According to the report, ransomware attacks pose the greatest cybersecurity risk to K-12 schools and districts in terms of overall cost and downtime.

As for malware, attackers have been opportunistically targeting K-12 districts over the past few years using certain strains, such as Shlayer and Coinminer. Consequently, K–12 schools must make sure their network connectivity is safe so they can protect sensitive student data and their critical digital assets.

What makes that harder is the fact that cybersecurity in K-12 districts is often under-funded.

School IT teams–many of them lacking proper staff levels–continually juggle a variety of tasks, from maintaining a wide range of devices to making sure the campus is outfitted with physical surveillance systems to keep children safe. Many IT workers find it challenging to set aside time to improve cybersecurity measures due to their expanding list of duties. To make matters worse, the typical school district spends 8 percent or less of its annual IT budget on security; 18 percent of districts spend less than 1 percent, according to the K-12 report.

One district’s digital transformation win

Let’s look at the example of one east coast district that recently declared it a top priority to equip all of its students with devices and implement a next-generation education platform throughout all of its campuses. But because of the rapid network edge expansion brought on by this transformation, the district’s aging systems and management infrastructure acquired serious security holes. Aging infrastructure was resulting in problems such as wireless access point failures, and service support agreements were about to expire.

With just one engineer serving as the district’s sole IT support for all its schools, a large portion of their time was taken by resolving problems with network infrastructure point products. The engineer saw the need for an integrated network platform for simple management, mitigation, automation and control. That led the district to start seeking a unified infrastructure that included switches, access points and security systems to enable its digital transformation.

Their approach combines SD-WAN and next-generation firewall capabilities with sophisticated routing and zero-trust network access (ZTNA) enforcement; it is quick, scalable, and adaptable. An endpoint detection and response solution is integrated into the network to provide cutting-edge endpoint security with real-time visibility, information sharing, analysis, defense and remediation. A network operations center (NOC) is responsible for centrally managing the district’s network and solutions. As a result, integration has improved and there is more control.

This is in line with what CoSN’s 2023 report has found: “Connecting systems or digital environments can form powerful digital ecosystems for enabling student learning and/or supporting education administration.”

The importance of ongoing training

Introducing regular security awareness training for teachers and staff is one of the simplest ways to improve cybersecurity. Though IT staff are crucial to safeguarding a school’s assets, everyone is accountable for cybersecurity. However, this is only achievable if they are aware of and are able to recognize the typical techniques employed by cybercriminals. All employees can and should be a solid line of defense.

Plotting a more secure course

By enabling novel experiences and enhancing communication and collaboration among students, parents, and instructors, digital technology has the potential to transform learning in American schools. The digital transformation process for K–12 education is essential in light of attackers’ increasing focus on this sector. Education IT leaders should consider security and networking as equally important with awareness training as the connection to safe operations and the path to the future.

Related:
3 ways MDM helps fight school cyberattacks
Ransomware attacks on schools are only getting worse

As school districts emerge from the worst of COVID-19, they’re bringing with them new priorities. Many of the changes that districts have made during the pandemic, such as giving employees the flexibility to work remotely, will be carried forward. Other processes are being reevaluated to serve the needs of students and other stakeholders more effectively.

In looking to update everything from teaching and learning processes to school district operations, one of the most basic steps that K-12 leaders can take to position their schools for success is updating their education resource planning (ERP) solution by moving to a cloud-based system.

We can’t really talk about modernizing and streamlining district operations without discussing ERPs. An ERP is the backbone of a district’s operations, helping administrators manage essential financial functions related to payroll, HR, accounting, and more.

Scalability, affordability, and reliability—hallmarks of cloud-based software—make it an ideal solution for any district that is ready to modernize its ERP solution. Migration can come with some up-front costs, but districts will save in the long run thanks to the lower total cost of ownership of cloud solutions.

While an ERP is a critical solution, many commercial ERP platforms are aimed at businesses. They aren’t tailored to the needs of education, and they could require costly customization to meet a school district’s needs. An ERP designed specifically for K-12 education would meet the needs of all district staff more effectively and improve operational efficiency.

Here are three reasons to choose an ERP designed specifically for K-12 education:

1. You’ll have better compliance.

Reliable reporting is paramount, and an ERP designed for K-12 ensures the data you need for state and federal reporting is captured and stored in a central system. This leads to fewer errors and more accurate reporting.

2. You’ll see improved collaboration and integration.

An education-specific ERP solution aligns district team members so that everyone is on the same page. Having a single source of data eliminates confusion and ensures quick communication.

3. You’ll benefit from a partner with educational expertise.

Migrating to a cloud-based ERP or upgrading your existing solution is a big investment. However, forming the right partnership with a company that has extensive experience in K-12 education will ensure a successful rollout.

Looking to the cloud

A cloud-based ERP allows for remote and secure data storage, enabling district employees to access all the information they need—including paperwork, applications, and services—in one place from any device, at any time. What’s more, it can be customized to fit a district’s unique needs. Districts that turn to a cloud-based ERP solution can manage and access the resources they need entirely online.

School districts are constantly changing and innovating to meet the needs of teachers and students. As districts change, their ERP needs evolve as well. For instance, you might see a greater demand on district operations when you renew contracts or begin a new fiscal year. A cloud-based ERP can shift with these needs, easily scaling up or down depending on your priorities.

Shifting to the cloud is also a cost-conscious move. New hardware implementations and upgrades can be costly, but cloud-based ERPs give districts the ability to implement new capabilities without upfront investments in servers and installation. Piloting the launch of a new application and then scaling it district-wide is less expensive with the capabilities of cloud-based software, because you only pay for what you actually need and use.

Security is of utmost concern, particularly as K-12 education has become an increasingly attractive target for cyberattacks. Cloud management systems use data encryption and other measures to keep sensitive information secure. Storing data in the cloud also ensures that your district’s information is safe in the event of a natural disaster, because it’s all stored offsite in multiple locations.

When you’re looking to modernize your district’s operations to keep pace with the needs of students, teachers, and staff, it’s essential that you choose systems that give you the flexibility to grow and innovate. With a cloud-based ERP, you get all that—and more.

Related:
5 ways to make your IT department more efficient
How to build community-wide support for IT transformation

IT leadership is an essential component of school and district operations, and in today’s post-pandemic landscape, K-12 IT security is critical in combatting increasing cybersecurity attacks that can cripple even the largest districts in a matter of moments.

It’s important to establish the right K-12 IT practices and policies that support teaching and learning–and it’s even better to share those best practices in the event that other K-12 IT leaders are seeking to establish the same kind of policies.

Here is K-12 IT advice from a handful of IT leaders:

1. The alarming disparity between prioritization and preparedness is indicative of the cybersecurity challenges school districts are facing. As the Director of Technology at Maconaquah School Corporation located in north-central Indiana, I know firsthand that implementing a proactive cybersecurity posture is a difficult and time-consuming–yet necessary–process. School districts are prime targets for hackers; therefore, we must be prepared.

In our own school corporation, we have adopted four key practices that enable us to continuously strengthen and advance our cybersecurity mitigation and prevention strategies. One of those strategies includes continuously identifying and addressing vulnerabilities. As with training, school districts should never remain idle when it comes to evaluating and addressing their vulnerabilities. We have spent the last few years identifying and fixing gaps in our cybersecurity posture and defenses. Conducting regular audits and evaluations has put our district in a stronger position, but the work is never complete. To be diligent, we must proactively assess our cybersecurity weaknesses and defenses regularly. [Read more]
–Chris Percival, Director of Technology, Maconaquah School Corporation

2. There is no doubt that cybersecurity is essential for all organizations in our modern world. However, security cannot be valued more than usability. The sad fact is that the only entirely secure computer system is one that have been unplugged and shut off. Cyberattacks will continue, and it will be important to ensure that every organization has strong backup and recovery plans in place. However, end user usability is just as important as security.

IT leaders need to ensure that usability is still the primary consideration in building IT systems. IT systems are of little value if they are not able to be used effectively by end users. Considerations of what level of additional steps end users are willing to take is essential. This is particularly important as many organizations still have a high number of remote workers. Make sure the warnings provided to end users are significant as well. Too many warnings can numb end users into assuming the IT department is crying wolf and they may stop paying attention to warnings. [Read more]
–Steven M. Baule, Ed.D., Ph.D., Faculty Member, Winona State University

3. For many of IT teams, challenges around cybersecurity are top of mind, with recent research revealing over half of lower education organizations were hit by ransomware in the past year. On top of this, concerns remain around cloud costs, including new limits on free cloud storage, leaving some wondering what they’re supposed to do and having to pay up. K-12 IT teams need to rethink their approach to cloud storage costs and security.

In order to modernize and innovate, education decision-makers will need to embrace hybrid or multi-cloud storage options that keep their data secure by moving away from mainstream, high-cost cloud providers. Further, to meet growing demands on schools’ IT departments, IT leaders will need to adopt a flexible cloud mindset that enables them to effectively and securely store and leverage the growing deluge of data they are inundated with–everything from student health care data to device and research data. A high performance, multi-cloud approach can help K-12 schools check major pain points off their list. [Read more]
–Kevin Warenda, Director of IT, Hotchkiss School

4. Sometimes it feels like a school district IT department doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Yes, technology is more a part of today’s education than ever before, but when tech is running smoothly, it is easy to forget IT departments and the staff that keep the infrastructure running exist. 

In my six years as the director of technology for the Pittsburg Independent School District, we’ve gone through many changes, not to mention what the pandemic put us through. But when COVID-19 forced us all to remote learning nearly overnight, my six-person team was able to move 2,500 students to a one-to-one program rapidly and quite successfully. There were numerous factors contributing to the team’s stellar work. One factor was support from administration, which is vital: It’s very helpful to have someone, both at the board level and the executive level, who understands IT and is equally invested in its success as my team and I are. Listening to your team members is important, too–it validates their importance as individuals and as part of a team. [Read more]
–Nele Morrison, Director of Technology, Pittsburg ISD, Texas

5. In today’s schools, nearly all aspects of student data reside on IT systems in the K-12 ecosystem. And the seamless use of that data through various technologies is paramount in ensuring a stellar educational experience for students and teachers. When teachers and administrators need to bring in student data, protect that data, and adapt to unique needs among various stakeholders who need access to the data, often the amount of time between data entry and usage is so lengthy that end-user experiences only lead to frustration.

I envision a scenario in which students and employees who move between schools in the same state lose no data, lose no documents, no video projects, no graded assignments. Open enrollment policies illustrate why school districts need to implement a cybersecurity system that works seamlessly outside of one specific district. This is a solid illustration of the potentially negative impact that cybersecurity and, more importantly, hands-on protection tools such as user authentication can have on a student’s experience. All learners need an individual path to flourish. If the data that follows them down their educational path isn’t comprehensive or lacks details teachers need, delays or setbacks can result. Retaining and accessing vital student data that teachers need immediately upon a new student’s enrollment is a process that screams for standardized methods. [Read more]
–Diana McGhee, Former Director of Technology at Fort Thomas Independent Schools & Former President of KySTE

Student data privacy has been at the forefront of district leaders’ minds well before the pandemic. However, since COVID-19 shifted schools and classrooms online, it’s not surprising that tech usage has reached an all-time high. Districts are accessing 1,400 edtech tools per month on average, and cybersecurity attacks in our nation’s schools are also increasing.

As an Education Technology Specialist at one of Colorado’s fastest-growing districts, District 49, I was tasked 5 years ago with the responsibility to ensure our district complied with federal and student data privacy laws. Both state and federal laws require vendors and school districts to facilitate safe online learning experiences. However, when the pandemic hit, our district was forced to rethink our approach beyond compliance to further vet our edtech tools and make protecting student data privacy a regular practice of our edtech ecosystem.

For the process to work, I knew we would have to work collaboratively, across departments and buildings, to confirm that our teachers and students were using digital tools that delivered value without exposing student data to risk.

Our district serves 13,000 students across four distinct zones, spanning 133 square miles of suburban and rural areas. Our school leadership has the autonomy and authority to choose whether or not one-to-one learning makes sense for their students and teachers based on their specific student population. Once the pandemic hit, this autonomy became one of our biggest hurdles. Some schools could seamlessly pivot to online learning, while others scrambled to put together folders of materials every week. We quickly found ourselves overwhelmed by the variation in tools used across our district and inundated by options. 

We knew we needed help to encourage consistent practices across school buildings, ensure compliance with Colorado’s student data privacy requirements, reduce frustration and confusion among stakeholders (including parents students, and staff), and begin to evaluate the impact of edtech on student outcomes. At the same time, we wanted to maintain local decision-making. For us, it was all about balance.

Districts like D49 can, and already are, doing this work. And like most things, while it may not be perfect, it’s getting better–that’s what the focus should be for all K-12 stakeholders.

Here are five best practices for other administrators and education leaders  to consider when reigning in their districts’ edtech ecosystem:

1. Audit what is currently in use, not just what’s being purchased. To better understand our district’s edtech usage, our tech team set up a free Inventory Dashboard. Within days, we realized that students and teachers were using a lot more technology tools than we expected–2,000 edtech tools systemwide! Taking stock of the education technology tools being accessed in a district is an essential first step for identifying immediate opportunities for improvement, spotting and eliminating any redundancies, uncovering potential savings, and creating and prioritizing improvement plans aligned to systemwide goals.

2. Understand K-12 laws both at the federal and state levels. Selecting technology platforms and apps needs to address a district’s unique challenges and also comply with state and federal law. For example, in Colorado, the state law requires the ability to “request and evaluate remote learning technology,” while the U.S. Department of Education says “when possible.” District leaders should understand the laws and ensure vendors comply as mandated by their state when applicable, as it may differ from federal guidelines.

3. Work with partners to streamline edtech processes. Being able to sit down with principals and point to the effectiveness of technology choices they made last year, last month, or at the beginning of the school year is an essential part of streamlining the selection and procurement process. We partner with LearnPlatform to gather, comply, share, and communicate our district’s edtech evidence-building protocol to continuously improve teaching and learning.

4. Establish professional development to inform teachers and principals of new edtech policies and ask for their feedback. When districts engage in edtech evaluations and potential change, educators may need to change how they integrate technology in their classrooms. Getting that buy-in is critical and this requires clear communication and built-in feedback opportunities. Leaders should take a hands-on approach, reach out and request feedback at the start of the process. New edtech policies and expectations must be communicated on an ongoing basis. Teachers must also be supported with valuable professional development opportunities that illuminate best practices to enhance technology usage for both teachers and students to optimize learning.

5. Be transparent with parents and local communities. Change can be hard, especially for parents and caregivers who have struggled with the multitude of ever-changing technology platforms that their children have accessed throughout the pandemic. District leaders need to recognize and respect the vital role that families play in successfully educating children to safely navigate the digital tools necessary for quality education. Giving them a consistent place to see what edtech tools are being used with their students goes a long way.

Tech-enabled learning is here to stay. Districts are responsible for taking a hard look at their edtech offerings and must collaborate with solution providers that comply with the law and embrace evidence-building and sharing to support effective and equitable learning.

Related:
How to maintain secure access and data privacy
5 tips to build community-wide support for IT transformation

As school districts emerge from the worst of COVID-19, they’re bringing with them new priorities. Many of the changes that districts have made during the pandemic, such as giving employees the flexibility to work remotely, will be carried forward. Other processes are being reevaluated to serve the needs of students and other stakeholders more effectively.

In looking to update everything from teaching and learning processes to school district operations, one of the most basic steps that K-12 leaders can take to position their schools for success is updating their education resource planning (ERP) solution by moving to a cloud-based system.

We can’t really talk about modernizing and streamlining district operations without discussing ERPs. An ERP is the backbone of a district’s operations, helping administrators manage essential financial functions related to payroll, HR, accounting, and more.

Scalability, affordability, and reliability—hallmarks of cloud-based software—make it an ideal solution for any district that is ready to modernize its ERP solution. Migration can come with some up-front costs, but districts will save in the long run thanks to the lower total cost of ownership of cloud solutions.

While an ERP is a critical solution, many commercial ERP platforms are aimed at businesses. They aren’t tailored to the needs of education, and they could require costly customization to meet a school district’s needs. An ERP designed specifically for K-12 education would meet the needs of all district staff more effectively and improve operational efficiency.

Here are three reasons to choose an ERP designed specifically for K-12 education:

1. You’ll have better compliance.

Reliable reporting is paramount, and an ERP designed for K-12 ensures the data you need for state and federal reporting is captured and stored in a central system. This leads to fewer errors and more accurate reporting.

2. You’ll see improved collaboration and integration.

An education-specific ERP solution aligns district team members so that everyone is on the same page. Having a single source of data eliminates confusion and ensures quick communication.

3. You’ll benefit from a partner with educational expertise.

Migrating to a cloud-based ERP or upgrading your existing solution is a big investment. However, forming the right partnership with a company that has extensive experience in K-12 education will ensure a successful rollout.

Looking to the cloud

A cloud-based ERP allows for remote and secure data storage, enabling district employees to access all the information they need—including paperwork, applications, and services—in one place from any device, at any time. What’s more, it can be customized to fit a district’s unique needs. Districts that turn to a cloud-based ERP solution can manage and access the resources they need entirely online.

School districts are constantly changing and innovating to meet the needs of teachers and students. As districts change, their ERP needs evolve as well. For instance, you might see a greater demand on district operations when you renew contracts or begin a new fiscal year. A cloud-based ERP can shift with these needs, easily scaling up or down depending on your priorities.

Shifting to the cloud is also a cost-conscious move. New hardware implementations and upgrades can be costly, but cloud-based ERPs give districts the ability to implement new capabilities without upfront investments in servers and installation. Piloting the launch of a new application and then scaling it district-wide is less expensive with the capabilities of cloud-based software, because you only pay for what you actually need and use.

Security is of utmost concern, particularly as K-12 education has become an increasingly attractive target for cyberattacks. Cloud management systems use data encryption and other measures to keep sensitive information secure. Storing data in the cloud also ensures that your district’s information is safe in the event of a natural disaster, because it’s all stored offsite in multiple locations.

When you’re looking to modernize your district’s operations to keep pace with the needs of students, teachers, and staff, it’s essential that you choose systems that give you the flexibility to grow and innovate. With a cloud-based ERP, you get all that—and more.

Related:
5 ways to make your IT department more efficient
How to build community-wide support for IT transformation

In this episode of Innovations in Education, sponsored by Promethean and Merlyn Mind and hosted by Kevin Hogan:

• 4 blended learning strategies for better student engagement
• Only out-of-the-box solutions will fix the real problems in schools
• The Promising Reality of AI

The new school year is upon us, and IT teams are ramping up strategic tech investments and systems to help ensure a smooth year ahead. For many of these IT teams, challenges around cybersecurity are top of mind, with recent research revealing over half of lower education organizations were hit by ransomware in the past year. On top of this, concerns remain around cloud costs, including new limits on free cloud storage, leaving some wondering what they’re supposed to do and having to pay up.

In light of these shifts and growing risks, K-12 IT teams need to rethink their approach to cloud storage costs and security. We recently experienced challenges at Hotchkiss School with our past cloud providers in this regard. We could not obtain the amount of secure storage we needed due to not only data consumption and performance challenges, but also because of their egress fees. In order to modernize and innovate, education decision-makers will need to embrace hybrid or multi-cloud storage options that keep their data secure by moving away from mainstream, high-cost cloud providers.

Further, to meet growing demands on schools’ IT departments, IT leaders will need to adopt a flexible cloud mindset that enables them to effectively and securely store and leverage the growing deluge of data they are inundated with – everything from student health care data to device and research data. Let’s dive into how a high performance, multi-cloud approach can help K-12 schools check the following major pain points off their list.

Data loss from ransomware attacks & other cyber risks  

Security is top of mind in every industry, especially in education where it’s important to keep our students’ and faculty information safe. In the face of growing security threats, protecting sensitive information by effectively backing up data to the cloud has never been more critical, and IT teams must operate not under the assumption of “if” an attack will occur, but rather “when.” This is especially important for schools that also rely on Microsoft Office 365 or other cloud-based SaaS applications for data storage. They must take additional backup measures as Microsoft does not guarantee that they will restore data if it is lost. In fact, Office 365 has remained the top target for SaaS attacks this past year.

While many IT teams may initially want to resort to the more traditional legacy approach of backing up their data on-premises, this strategy is less secure as it essentially acts as just one copy of data that can be easily targeted and destroyed. It also has limits as to how much information can be stored, which schools can quickly outgrow and need to pay in time and resources to maintain and scale. Cloud storage provides a more secure, easier-to-use, and cost-effective backup option.

Related:
Building community-wide support for IT transformation
5 tools every school tech director should use

Many cloud storage providers offer some key backup features that can help better mitigate the effects of data leaks and ransomware attacks including object-level immutability that prevents anyone from tampering with, modifying or deleting data for a set period of time, keeping files safe against disruption. The cloud also allows for backup diversification to help prevent schools from storing all of their data in one place to be targeted. A multi-cloud approach enables educational institutions to follow a ‘3-2-1’ backup strategy, otherwise known as keeping three copies of data, with two on different media formats and one off-site, that helps prevent hackers from accessing all storage locations and enables companies to continue functioning during an attack and restore operations quickly. At Hotchkiss, we’ve found these backup strategies to be vital to ensuring our data security, and leveraging these kinds of additional safety features will become even more critical for educational institutions as security threats grow.

Digital transformation

Schools around the world were forced to quickly digitally transform to support both remote and hybrid learning due to COVID-19, but with limited resources and IT budgets. While many have returned to in-person learning, budget and resource challenges persist while school districts attempt to get local municipalities to approve budget increases to cover increased costs for technologies.

It’s never been more critical for IT teams to move away from relying on costly on-premises options, or those that carry expensive tiers and additional charges for egress and API requests to support their technologies. In order for schools to successfully continue their digital transformation initiatives and innovate on a budget, they must adopt a more simple, cost-effective and high-performing storage solution that can better support their growing reliance on technology at a lesser cost.

Surveillance storage challenges

Earlier this year, West Virginia legislature passed a bill to increase video surveillance requirements for special education classrooms. This is one of the latest incidents of heightened surveillance demands for schools around the country, requiring them to store and produce surveillance footage for certain set time periods at a moment’s notice.   

This poses an issue for the education industry. The vast amounts of data being generated through these surveillance systems promise to completely overwhelm many schools’ existing on-premise storage systems, creating storage bottlenecks and preventing administrators from being able to quickly access the data when needed. By moving to a flexible, hybrid cloud approach that can scale with their growing surveillance data volumes, Hotchkiss and other schools can cost-effectively extend the value from any of their existing storage solutions while keeping this critical surveillance data securely at the edge for easy storage and access.

K-12 schools have undergone an especially complicated transition over the past three years. This period exposed the need for more technological innovation and IT infrastructure changes in school systems, starting with the cloud, to help address data security and storage challenges. At the Hotchkiss school, it was no different. Overwhelmed by the amount of data created on our busy campus, we recently turned to Wasabi to build a low-cost, high-performance and secure storage solution that fully protects our environment. For an industry seeing exploding data volumes and security threats while faced with limited resources, the time is now for IT teams to find a reliable and secure cloud solution that will protect their school’s most valuable asset – data. 

Technology’s role has been elevated to an integral strategic function in today’s school districts. But getting everyone to understand the value of digital transformation can be challenging and test the persuasion and people skills of even the most seasoned IT leaders.

Here are some strategies IT teams can use to help build a supportive culture for ongoing technology investments.

Set Up Direct Lines of Communication

Less than 30 days into my role at Judson ISD, our district was hit with a devastating ransomware attack that led to a total network takedown. While there were many lessons learned from that experience, one of the silver linings was how it brought to light across the district how critical our technology systems are.

This realization served as a catalyst for our IT team to develop direct lines of communication with every department.

Now, each department in the district has a dedicated IT staff member who manages their technology, system, and platform needs. This structure helps bridge any communication gaps between teams and creates trust that IT is there to support each department and their goals.

Develop Your Business Case

It’s not a question of “if” but “when” – cyberattacks or some other event will impact your district sooner or later. And the older your equipment, the more vulnerable it is to negative events that will impact student learning and staff productivity.

The key is to be as proactive as you can in shoring up critical infrastructure. But many IT leaders struggle when faced with pushback about the need for technology investments or requests for increased funds. In these instances, leaders need to present a solid business case factoring in the total costs and impact to the district should the system or network fail.

Related:
5 safeguarding tips for schools this year
5 ways to make your IT department more efficient

In addition to hardware and equipment costs, be sure to include direct and indirect costs such as loss in staff time and productivity, any disruptions to student learning, critical data or system loss, reputational damage to the district, etc. All these financial implications help build a compelling case about how failing to update systems is incredibly risky and costly in the long run.

Paint a Picture in Real Terms

It’s easy to get caught up in technical nuances when discussing district needs, but many community members don’t understand the depths of technology infrastructure. This requires us to step out of our tech bubbles and change the way we communicate. Tailor conversations to non-technical audiences by painting a picture of how technology investments – and lack thereof – can and will affect staff, students, parents, and the community at large. Ask yourself, “How can I relate this to an everyday person? If I was a teacher or parent, how would this impact me?”

For example, Judson ISD is in the middle of upgrading our camera systems to increase campus security; however, many of our older schools have switches – that power our cameras – installed in classroom cabinets that are simply plugged into the wall and easily accessible. Some individuals may not view that as a problem or liability, so I have to outline the ramifications of one individual unplugging a cabinet in order to demonstrate the need. Additionally, upgrading cameras requires more switches to handle the increased power supply and more cloud storage to store each camera’s data for 6 months. Citing real-world examples of how vulnerabilities can be easily exploited helps stakeholders understand the project’s full scope and foster buy-in.

Plan for Future Growth Sustainably

Like many school districts across the country, Judson ISD is growing rapidly. Over the past two years, we’ve gained almost 3,000 new students. With that kind of growth, planning for the future is paramount. If you don’t develop a plan for what growth looks like at your district, then your systems simply won’t be able to keep up and will become quickly outdated.

On top of this, funding sustainability is critical and can’t be overlooked. Many districts use bond funds to replace systems, which can be very effective, but they need to have a plan to sustain and maintain those systems long-term. Every system comes with a cost, so developing a plan to spread those management, maintenance, and optimization costs out over time is very important. If we’re going to ask for taxpayer dollars for IT investments, it’s our duty to be responsible and spend wisely.

One way we’ve been able to cost-effectively optimize and scale our services is through key partnerships with providers like ENA. Our hosted voice platform has enabled us to provide more advanced phone features to staff, increase system flexibility and expandability across campuses, and reduce maintenance costs for the district. 

Reduce Technology Footprint in the Classroom

One misconception about IT is that we believe more technology is always the answer. I often find more technology can mean more problems. Instead of tackling every issue with a new device or app, look for ways to strategically reduce the technology footprint on campuses and in classrooms while delivering the same or better results. As an IT team, we are constantly asking ourselves, how can we empower teachers and students with the best learning environments possible using fewer devices?

For example, outfitting every teacher with an overhead projector, smartboard, desktop computer, laptop, iPad, and more, can run you $10k-$15k per classroom. But with one interactive panel, a teacher is fully equipped to deliver high-quality classroom instruction and many of those previous devices become redundant. This philosophy not only leads to better allocation of funding, but it also reduces IT workload and the number of devices staff need to learn to operate – making everyone’s jobs and lives easier.

Teaching methods have changed dramatically over the last few years, leading to numerous electronic resources entering the classroom. This makes school IT a formidable challenge—security experts have to juggle budget constraints with heavy traffic on the network due to a huge number of connected devices.

There is no stopping the use of technology to enhance student engagement and learning. Therefore, cybersecurity concerns are increasing along with K–12 schools’ dependence on technology.

While no network is impervious to assaults, a reliable and effective network security solution is crucial for safeguarding student data and decreasing districts’ vulnerability to data theft and sabotage.

The tools you select, and their respective performance levels, should be determined by your tech team’s budget and capabilities. Let’s outline the five tools that school tech departments need to be using.

Infrastructure and Configuration

Staying on top of network controls, flow, and operations is essential because unpatched network firmware is a common source of attacks. Network configuration helps set up and maintain networking devices, firmware, and software to block new exploits and fix bugs.

According to a recent Microsoft analysis, over the past two years, at least one attempted firmware assault has been made against 80 percent of organizations in the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and China.

Network Configuration Management (NCM) tools can help keep track of network devices by monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes and distributing firmware updates. Additionally, network administrators with better network visibility and control over the change workflow through NCM tools can both undo mistakes and prevent them.

Network Monitoring

Network monitoring tools analyze performance metrics and alert admins to anomalies. There are various brands that offer an overview of performance metrics such as latency, bandwidth usage, responsiveness, and network-based applications and devices.

You can enforce an acceptable use policy for all devices on your network and create automatic security by installing monitoring tools, such as firewalls and content filters.

Related:
3 tips to balance the back-to-analog edtech transition
5 safeguarding tips for schools this year

Network monitoring tools track network device availability and bandwidth use to detect bottlenecks and anomalous activity. Network monitoring tools also monitor DNS, SQL, mail, FTP, and virtual server uptime, identifying the cause of any downtime or other network performance issues. Lastly, they can be used to filter web content, monitor internet surfing activities, and view your website’s availability.

Endpoint Management

Endpoint management tools provide real-time visibility into the various devices that have access to your network, allowing you to deploy patches, perform maintenance, and run virus scans.

There are two main types of endpoint management tools: United Endpoint Management (UEM) and Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM). The former centralizes security, patching, and performance monitoring for all mobile and desktop devices. The latter remotely gathers data on endpoints and allows admins to carry out tasks, scripts, and patching remotely.

IT workers can use a multi-platform endpoint management system to manage all devices from a single programmable panel, providing essential features such as patch management and threat detection.

Endpoint management has become crucial for school districts in recent years. Just like their business counterparts, most districts provide devices to their staff and faculty. Further, district and school tech teams that have rolled out 1:1 programs for students are managing exponentially more devices (or, in this context, endpoints) than they ever have in the past.

Identity and Access Authentication

Identity and access authentication tools help streamline the management of user accounts, including access privileges or permissions. These determine which resources individual accounts, groups, and organizational units can access in your information infrastructure.

Key features of this authentication include a database of user identities and their access privileges, tools for granting, monitoring, editing, and revoking privileges, as well as audit logging of access history.

Commonly-used identity and access authentication methods in education include multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO).

For a long time, education leaders were resistant to MFA controls. However, it is considered to be among the most simple and effective control against cybercriminal attacks, including ransomware. In fact, beginning in 2021, most cyber insurance providers serving education now require MFA controls for coverage. Without it, premiums increase significantly. That change alone has had the most influence on ending the MFA debate in education.

Cloud Security

Technically, your cloud domain is outside of your network perimeter. However, cloud security is critical to include on this list because a common misconception is that network management and security tools are sufficient to protect data and user accounts in the cloud.

Most K-12 school districts use at least one of the big cloud tech companies such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoom, or AWS. Further, 90 percent of school districts are using cloud applications for various purposes beyond classroom learning, such as human resources and financial information.

Cloud security protects a district’s data stored in the cloud by preventing unauthorized access,

quarantining malware and phishing, and automating data loss prevention from malicious and accidental exposure. When selecting the right cloud security tool, IT professionals should look for centralized visibility, control of cloud domains, and data loss prevention automation. You should also look for a tool that provides the ability to customize configuration because no two districts are identical.

“Defense-in-depth” is an important concept in cybersecurity that advocates for a multi-layered approach to protect, detect, and respond to risks. This combination of tools should provide the framework for an IT director at a school to protect all relevant stakeholders. But having a strategy about how to use them is also vital. Schools must have replacement cycles so, when security technology and network equipment expires, the updates are planned for in advance and have funding allocated. Lastly, benchmarks and goals for these systems give staff a great overview. For example, built-in dashboards can provide metrics that inform tech admins as to whether incidents are spiking, the types of incidents that are occurring, or whether they need to try a different set of tools.

During the “emergency teaching” era of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital resources and edtech tools were used by educators worldwide in an effort to maintain students’ continuity of learning. Tremendous investments were made by school systems in an effort to rapidly scale digital learning.

With many of the COVID-era restrictions receding, it is tempting to think that we’ve entered into a new, highly digital era of education that will be far less dependent on pencils and paper. But, in the famous words of college football insider and former coach Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend!”  

Interestingly, the post-COVID teaching environment has so far, in my opinion, been marked by a strong desire to see things done with pencil and paper. In my district, I hear from educators, students, and families alike that they wish to see what they learned online to be applied in hard copy. After a two-year period where “virtually” everything was done on an iPad, parents have a thirst to see their children bringing home papers in their backpacks again.   

This push back to analog forces district leaders to view edtech through a new, more critical lens. Now, instead of looking at edtech as a solution for all levels in all ways, we are looking at where hard copy materials fit in with our edtech investments. For example, my district looked at our edtech tools from Discovery Education – specifically the Social Studies Techbook – for reading passages, student activities, and assessments that could be accessed either digitally or as PDFs/hard copy.  

Really, what we’re seeking is a way to balance our edtech investments and the gains we’ve made in creating engaging digital learning experiences with some of the more traditional aspects of education. Here are some strategies my district is taking to bring this sort of balance to our classrooms.  

Look for Text Options 

Depending on the edtech resource, the text that students read has a high level of accessibility for students, including language adaptation, lexile or reading level adaptability, text speech (the words on the digital page are read out loud by the device, which can also adapt languages), and the ability to change colors of the text or background for easier reading. All of these accessibility affordance are critical aspects of digital technology for inclusivity and equity.  

But screen time can quickly overwhelm students and families are also increasingly concerned with the amount of screen time their children have, in and out of the classroom. One option for balancing screen time with hard copy material is utilizing the text option available within many edtech resources. As an example, reading passages are available within portions of units, and can easily be printed by the teacher, they can be offered to the students.  

Using the various accessibility tools often found within the more sophisticated edtech resources, these materials can be printed in different languages and at various reading levels, allowing teachers to share differentiated materials in print. Students are then able to manually annotate, highlight, or just read the text as they hold it in their hands versus viewing it on a screen.  

Spotlight on Strategies and Activities 

This is an option widely used and very appreciated by our teachers. Discovery Education’s K-12 platform provides seemingly endless resources called Spotlight on Strategies, or SOS. Spotlight on Strategies include many options for students to demonstrate their learning based on specific strategies taught by the teacher and can be accessed as PDFs so they can be available for students as hard copies or even offline.  

An example is the 3-2-1 Pyramid where students record a one sentence summary on what they’ve read, two reasons the topic is important, and three facts they have learned. The 3-2-1 Pyramid is a graphic organizer and Spotlight on Strategies includes many more graphic organizers, writing prompts, question stems, and quizzes that can be accessed at PDFs or easily recreated for pencil and paper work for students.   

These are also perfect for formative assessments.  The “Explain” and “Elaborate” portions include “quick writes” as activities and “document investigations” that can be accessed as PDFs and conducive to written responses by students. There are also many more options throughout the units in the techbook and all of them are conducive to visible learning and assessment.  

Seek to Use Mixed Media Assessments 

Assessments are another area that offers opportunities to balance what students produce electronically and manually. 

Here, I would consider mixing the digital with the analog to construct mixed-media assessments. Within a science context, students could do a hybrid science laboratory where they watch a demonstration online then get to apply the learning with physical materials. Students could take the learning even further by applying cross-disciplinary skills in an assignment to write up their findings in a lab report with an accompanying virtual presentation made on Canva, PowerPoint, or a similar platform.

This challenges the students to think across multiple media while also empowering them to demonstrate and solidify their knowledge.  While these solutions may sound simple or even obvious, it’s important we discuss the evolution of teaching and learning in the K-12 edtech context. We may be moving back towards a pen and paper style nostalgic approach, but our investments in edtech remain central to the development of each student.  

This says to us as educators that we have to continue to leverage technology with options for teachers and students.  While edtech is providing students and teachers  amazing adaptability and flexibility, it is important to include some of the traditional work we know continues to add value to the learning experience. As we move forward in the post-Pandemic world, we as educators need to continue to look for ways to integrate new technologies with “tried and true” strategies to create new and innovative ways of creating engaging learning experiences for today’s students.  

Sometimes it feels like a school district IT department doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Yes, technology is more a part of today’s education than ever before, but when tech is running smoothly, it is easy to forget IT departments and the staff that keep the infrastructure running exist. 

In my six years as the director of technology for the Pittsburg Independent School District, a town about 120 miles east of Dallas, we’ve gone through many changes, not to mention what the pandemic put us through. But when COVID-19 forced us all to remote learning nearly overnight, my six-person team was able to move 2,500 students to a one-to-one program rapidly and quite successfully.

As I look back, I realize there were numerous factors contributing to the team’s stellar work. What follows are a few points that might help other IT departments better handle future challenges while generally improving operations for the long term.

Support from Administration is Vital

My superintendent, Terry Waldrep, has a degree in computer science, and the school board president, Greg Miller, is a technology company senior manager with a PhD in information technology. In some situations, IT directors might fear being second-guessed by leaders like these, but here it is quite the opposite. While some folks might perceive that fixing an IT problem or distributing new hardware is as simple as knowing what button to push, both individuals understand the complexities of IT and the importance of a planning and systems for an IT department.

For instance, when our district needed to implement multi-factor authentication to update ransomware policies, I knew the technical change was relatively simple. But when communicating the importance of this new policy and training staff, I feared resistance. Our school board president not only understood why we were taking this step, but he offered his expertise as a resource if needed to convince skeptical staff about the change. It’s very helpful to have someone, both at the board level and the executive level, who understands IT and is equally invested in its success as my team and I are.

Listen to Your Employees

When our schools transitioned overnight to one-to-one learning and we had to create a help desk for students, I was worried about burning out the staff. Not only was our department physically handling computers for students and staff during the early days of the virus, but each staff member was being pulled in many directions at the same time.

To help them, I secured approval to hire a help desk aide for the entire department to organize the help desk. This seemingly small addition helped immensely. Not only did it validate their importance as individuals and as part of a team, it reset the tasks for our six-person group. They became more effective, better organized, and less stressed. Never forget that switching in and out of different work modes is costly; eliminating inefficiencies makes the whole department greater than the sum of its parts.

Pay Attention to Hiring

I’ve always prioritized hiring workers who could adapt to meet challenges over those with the best credentials. In fact, some of my staff didn’t even come from IT backgrounds. When the pandemic rejiggered our goals and what we needed, having staff with this adaptability paid off. Our team was able to creatively meet new challenges, finding several ways to deliver computers and connectivity to students and staff, while also keeping us all up-to-date with the latest digital teaching tools.

Actively Invest in Team Building

We are fortunate to have several people on staff with aspirations to one day become district IT directors themselves. During the pandemic, it was clear we needed regular check-ins with everyone so that I understood the pressures they were battling, but I also realized this was a great opportunity to show them parts of my job as the IT director. In the past, I handled our district’s e-Rate application and budgeting, not wanting to bother my staff with these administrative tasks. But when considering their long-term goals, I opened up more to show them how I do these tasks. 

Pick Software Tools Carefully

It’s easy for teachers to grab a free learning tool without thinking about the long-term ramifications of security and support. Our IT department decided quickly during the pandemic to standardize the tools offered to our staff. We did listen to teachers’ preferences, but we vetted their choices carefully and if those companies met our expectations, we made the tools available to the entire staff. However, we stuck closely to our standardization plan so that we didn’t dilute our effectiveness or stretch the team out unnecessarily. But we also realized that providing an array of tools gives teachers the flexibility to create their own solutions.

One example is NetSupport, which is used in the six Windows-based CTE labs we run at the high school. This tool allows teachers to see the screens of all their students, jump in and help a student who may be stuck, or simply freeze everyone’s screen to make a quick class-wide point. The company meets the criteria we’ve set for longevity, support, and technical standards so it fit into the district plan despite being used in a very specific setting. We leaned heavily on several software solutions, from a program to control our IT inventory to a way to upgrade our invoice system. Even something as simple as improving our digital signage helped control the influx of insurance forms we suddenly had to deal with. 

During the pandemic, we originally thought that some of our teachers would struggle to use the technology that was handed out rather quickly, but we were proven wrong. Our staff, from newer tech-savvy teachers to veterans who fondly recall using chalkboards and erasers, stepped up and adapted their classes for an entirely different delivery mode. It was heartening and rewarding for all of us in IT to be such a tangible and visible part of instructional success.

A universal truth over the last two years within the education sector has been this: Students need to continue learning, whether in school, at home, or somewhere in between. For many school systems and institutions, this meant sending students home with whatever device they could get their hands on–even ones that had been earmarked for disposal. Technology had to be put into the hands of students, one way or another. For many, this came at the cost of proper security precautions. Schools and institutions were at higher risk of security attacks, with more sensitive online data than ever before.

In the two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most schools have returned to a fully in-person learning environment. However, for many, the damaging effects linger–in 2021 alone, 67 separate ransomware attacks impacted 954 schools and colleges, putting at risk the personal data of more than 950,000 students, according to a study by security firm Comparitech.

As we head into a new school year, it is time to ask ourselves: How can we better prepare and protect our students to be a line of defense against malicious attacks? And furthermore, who is tasked with properly training them?

Here are some crucial considerations when it comes to the future of school cybersecurity training.

Why do schools have poor cybersecurity posture? How has COVID changed this?

Schools have been susceptible to cyberattacks as long as any other technology-using industry. While prior to COVID much learning, and even homework, was done offline, records, grades, data, etc. have been stored online for quite some time. However, unlike many technology companies and legacy organizations, there’s been a notorious lack of computer science training for school IT professionals. Education IT teams have been stretched so thin with the onslaught of remote learning, they had to scale, plan, and remediate at a quicker pace than ever before.

With this in mind, security and protection took a backseat to the idea of simply making sure every student had a device to work from. Few schools had proper security posture to begin with, and the rapid dispersal of devices and re-imagined use of previously retired devices created larger holes and pressure points in security posture than ever before. Schools, over time, simply became more susceptible while simultaneously getting no new protections.

Who is the most accessible target for a school ransomware attack?

What schools found, at an unfortunately rapid pace, was that their initial fear of learning loss was realized when they were ransomed. Many worried that students would miss out on class without the proper tools, sent them home with unprotected devices, and then suffered learning loss anyways–often for longer periods of time–when their systems were attacked during the pandemic.

Unfortunately, students are the most susceptible to cyberattacks. While schools can take every precaution in terms of ad-blockers, restricted websites, and patching updates, students are learning tech hacks at a rapid pace to maneuver these safeguards. While employees may receive intermittent “phishing tests” or requirements for security training from their employers, students are presented with these learning opportunities far less often – even if they are the ones more likely to be targeted with these phishing scams and suspicious links.

If students haven’t been properly trained, who is responsible for improving cybersecurity education?

Luckily, in many places, school curriculums continue to evolve and incorporate important developments. This often includes computer science courses and resources, where there one was something like “typing.” In an ideal setting, schools would implement cybersecurity training across the board. From students, to teachers, even to parents–everyone should be given the proper education and training to respond to a cybersecurity event, and avoid them in the first place.

Consider a multi-pronged approach, starting with summer vacation. IT teams should ensure that proper security controls are activated on student devices- it’s best to take as much of that responsibility away from the students as possible. Next, send a letter to parents on how to make sure their child’s device is updated, and fraudulent signs to look out for in future school communication. Lastly, help teachers and students understand what to do to improve security. Maybe it’s a checklist for “signs of a cyberattack” or a simulation that teachers can run once a semester to stay up to date. No solution will be a fix-all, but if your school is consistently looking for new solutions and staying cognizant of ransomware signs, you’ll be better prepared than most.

Looking ahead

Unfortunately, bad actors will always be evolving. They’ll learn common precautions and defense mechanisms, and quickly move to outsmart them. Fortunately, schools are constantly evolving as well: building new curriculums, activating new tools and methodologies, and finding new ways to empower their students. If these communities–students, teachers, parents, administrators, and IT teams–can work together to approach security in the same way, schools will be better equipped to protect themselves this year and in years to come.

The Great Resignation. The War for Talent. The K-12 Staffing Crisis.

Whatever you call it, K-12 school districts have a retention problem and it’s not unique to teaching staff – superintendents, principals, nurses, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and others are departing in droves.

Between the pandemic’s disruption on student learning, overloaded schedules, and increased workloads, staff are burned out, frustrated, and leaving for enterprise roles or retiring.

Already tasked with managing a plethora of networks, devices, and applications critical to the mission of learning, IT teams have now been elevated to a strategic role, charged with driving multiple digital transformation initiatives across their districts – often with little increase in team capacity.

These challenges are not unique to K-12, which means IT leaders are in high demand in the job market. As a result, IT retention grows more challenging every year and can impact district innovation if unaddressed. Recent studies found IT workers have the lowest intent to stay in their jobs compared to all corporate functions and 7 in 10 digital leaders say their company is unable to keep pace with change due to worker shortages.

But IT teams don’t need to throw in the towel – here are four ways leveraging professional and managed technology services and/or partnering with experienced managed service providers (MSP) can mitigate challenges, reduce burnout, and improve retention:

1. A Reprieve for IT Teams

The sheer number of systems, devices, data, compliance, networks, etc., that education IT teams oversee is staggering. IT workloads were already increasing before COVID-19, but the pandemic accelerated 1:1 initiatives, leading to an explosion in connected devices needing support, networks needing optimization to handle the surge in connectivity, and systems needing protection from increasing cyberattacks. The result? Stressed and overburdened technology teams with too much on their plates and forced to ruthlessly prioritize, often resulting in day-to-day maintenance falling through the cracks. 

A district’s internal IT team’s time is too valuable to spend on cumbersome maintenance – offloading these tasks to an MSP delivers relief from this mountain of work and frees up IT teams to focus on district innovation, technology strategy and architecture, and serving teachers, staff, and students.

2. Industry Experts

District connectivity and cybersecurity needs are complex. School leaders know they need to bring necessary expertise to the table, but what if their team doesn’t have specialized network staff and resources in-house? Hiring expert talent is expensive and extremely competitive, but gaps can potentially lead to cybersecurity and network vulnerabilities – which, if exploited, could cause devastating disruptions in student learning and even close schools or entire districts for days.

With professional and managed services, districts can access the expertise they need without hiring additional staff. These services extend internal teams with easy access to certified engineers who have a deep understanding of K-12 technology requirements. IT teams can collaborate with and lean on world-class network and cybersecurity experts to optimize their environments. Some MSPs also provide optional on-site personnel for districts wanting dedicated and exclusive support.

While the thought of relinquishing network control and access to an outside party can be uncomfortable for some, handing over complicated and time-consuming tasks to niche professionals can actually be more secure and elevate a district’s overall security posture.

3. Flexibility is the Name of the Game 

No two districts or IT departments look the same. With professional and managed technology services, flexibility is on the district’s side because there is no “one size fits all”.

No matter the needs, technology services can help districts stay on top of their specific critical IT activities, bring valuable insight to strategy and architecture decisions, and can be used in conjunction with each other for full lifecycle support. For example, districts will often use professional services for initial consulting, assessments, and remediation strategies, then choose fully managed or co-management services for ongoing support and maintenance.

Some common use cases districts engage technology services for include:

• Networks assessments for WAN, LAN, WLAN, and private LTE networks
• Project definitions to help inform a scope of work for a vendor, or proposal to a school board, etc.
• Cybersecurity assessments including pen testing, NIST Cybersecurity Assessment, and more
• Managing complex environments or security systems, including:
  • WAN, LAN, and WLAN connectivity networks
  • Systems and applications environments
  • Network and firewall security optimization
• 24/7 support for a specific vendor’s equipment
• Help desk support

4. Who Are You Going to Call? Only One Vendor

Picture this – your network unexpectedly goes down, but instead of having to juggle communications with multiple unresponsive and unhelpful carriers, you only make one phone call to one vendor who urgently manages the troubleshooting process by collaborating with and working alongside your team to reach resolution.

It’s not too good to be true – whether a district needs general support, advice, guidance on a product, or troubleshooting an issue with their network, they only have one vendor to call – their MSP. The MSP will work directly with the district’s equipment or hardware manufacturer to troubleshoot the problem(s) and oversee carrier management on their behalf, no matter how many underlying providers there are. Additionally, many MSPs proactively monitor district systems and can often address problems before their even aware of an issue, minimizing downtime and saving precious money and resources.

Whether a district is looking for end-to-end, co-managed, or one-time professional services, there are experienced managed and technology service providers, such as ENA, that can help school districts alleviate and address workforce shortages.  

Within the past few years, thanks to COVID-19 and distance learning, the amount of technology in schools across the country has increased a hundredfold. Many districts are now supporting 1:1 device initiatives, giving students daily access to the internet and information through Chromebooks, iPads, and other smart devices. To the relief of the world, education has mostly returned to the classroom after the pandemic mandated distance and hybrid learning.

Now, along with paper notebooks and colored pencils, classroom supply lists include technology as essential learning materials. With access to smart devices comes different responsibilities for teachers and students, new ways of learning, and new distractions. What’s your school’s current technology acceptable use policy?

As teachers continue to enhance instruction using 21st-century devices, the written policies for technology are often not clear or outdated. In many schools, the rules for daily technology use are frequently delegated to the discretion of each individual classroom teacher.

Teachers know their students best, but this open policy leads to confusion for both students and teachers who must navigate the variety of expectations from one class to another. It might be fine to use headphones during work time in period one, but in period two they better be out of sight. A student may forget which teacher encourages the use of social media as an inventive form of learning and expression, and which only allows access to the learning management system. It may seem to one teacher that the class right after homeroom often needs extra reminders to put their devices away.

Today’s technologies are fairly new, so most teachers don’t have the experience, training, or adequate support to help students overcome the addicting nature of apps that manipulatively track and collect data to entice and masterfully distract human behavior.

The U.S. Department of education articulates the need for a common language at all school levels around the expectations of effective technology use (U.S. Department of Education, 2016). Most schools have an acceptable use policy (AUP), a document that outlines those expectations. Often hidden in the back of student handbooks, the AUP lists the do’s and don’ts of technology as a contract to be followed by students and staff. It should not be assumed that students, parents, or even teachers read these terms and conditions, or even understand them fully.

A 2019 article from the Journal of Research of Technology in Education finds that most AUPs are outdated and too rigid, many focusing more on the legal issues with children using technology instead of developing and nurturing student learning (Sauers, 2019).

Schools need to update the harmful language of AUPs towards “empowering policies” and a more modern “responsible use policy” or RUP (Sauers, 2019). There are plenty of empowering policies and standards related to student use of technology that one could reference, such as those proposed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). ISTE’s standards for students outline qualifications for students to be “empowered learners, digital citizens, knowledge constructors, innovative designers, computational thinkers, creative communicators, and global collaborators” (ISTE, 2022).

Schools should also seek to address standards related to digital wellbeing in their RUPs as students today are spending excessive amounts of time on their devices both in class and at home, exacerbating the amount of youth depression (Lapierre et al., 2019) and contributing to decreasing academic performance (Demirbilek & Talan, 2018).

RUPs are a call to action for teachers and administrators to engineer solutions to help students stay engaged in the learning process. Investing time to create clear and empowering policies during staff development days and through professional learning committees will provide much needed guidelines for teachers, administrators, and parents to better plan and support students. This will also help classroom management by providing unity between teachers and an end goal to infuse empowering technology policies through the curriculum.

School networks are getting faster and more modern, but school IT leaders and IT departments struggle to keep up with the demand for remote access and support, according to an annual CoSN survey.

The State of EdTech District Leadership 2022 survey provides a high-level sense of what school district leaders think of the state of technology in education. The 2022 K-12 IT Leadership Survey is CoSN’s ninth annual survey and was made possible by the Ed-Fi Alliance and CDW-G, conducted in partnership with MCH Data, K12 Insight and AASA.

“There are no lack of challenges facing our nation’s schools today, but the annual CoSN IT survey also shines a light on several areas where we can be encouraged; increased connectivity, more devices, increased awareness of security and the outsized impact that IT leaders are having on their school districts’ planning processes,” said Troy Wheeler, president of the Ed-Fi Alliance.

“We’ve made strides in all these areas, and especially in the increase in awareness and action around data interoperability. When there is a district-wide data strategy, instructional leaders and IT leaders alike can accurately see trends over time and can better support educators and students with their own data. We’ll continue to support these efforts with our partners at CoSN.”

Key findings from the report include:

1. Though cybersecurity is the number one priority for IT leaders, risks are underestimated. For example, only 8% consider their district to be at high risk for a ransomware attack. Yet we know districts are a prime target for cyber criminals, according to CISA.

2. With 84% of districts implementing 1:1 strategies with school-owned devices, BYOD initiatives have largely been abandoned. And 1:1 strategies are happening at all grade levels, including at the elementary level.

3. Providing support for home access strains the resources of school district IT departments. More than half of districts are understaffed in their ability to provide remote support to students and families.

4. School networks are modernizing – only 19% report the relatively slow speeds of 100Mbps or less. Eight in ten report taking steps to advance data interoperability in their district, however, most are still in the early phases. SSO (Single Sign-On) is the most implemented interoperability initiative with 80% of districts having fully or partially implemented it.

5. There is a considerable salary gap between those working in towns/rural districts and those working suburban/urban districts for current IT district leadership.

6. Over the next 5 years 31% of current IT leaders plan to retire, including 12% who said they are retiring earlier because of the pandemic. This will be a major challenge for school systems everywhere.

7. IT leaders are still overwhelmingly white (85%) and predominately male (64%).

Demographics:

Nazareth Area School District is an eastern Pennsylvania school district with more than 4,800 students across six schools.

Biggest challenge:

Facing increasing demands to provide exceptional experiences for both students and teachers, our legacy network was simply not able to keep pace. We needed new network technology capable of supporting the digital curriculum within the classroom while also providing reliable wireless coverage outdoors to support the district’s new security strategy and emergency preparedness app.

Related content: 6 ways bus wi-fi could benefit your district

We realized that meeting these needs would require us to modernize the network from the edge to the core and that the solution would have to be both utility grade and simple to deploy.

Related Content:

eSchool News IT Solutions: Hardware and Management Guide

The eSchool News IT Solutions: Hardware and Management Guide is here! It features strategies to help K-12 IT leaders work with school administrators and teachers to prioritize IT solutions that support innovative digital learning in classrooms. A new eSchool News Guide will launch each month–don’t miss a single one!

Solution:

We chose to deploy new wired and wireless solutions to ensure high performance. After a thorough evaluation of our options, we decided to go with Aruba and are now running two 8320 switches as the foundation of our network. With the ArubaOS-CX operating system, these switches give us a fully redundant network that makes failovers, whether planned or unplanned, completely undetectable by our users.

Additionally, with Aruba we were able to deploy outdoor wi-fi for the first time. As a critical component of our new security initiative, we cover the entire perimeter of each school with wi-fi to ensure that faculty and staff are able to use our response tool, NaviGate Prepared, anywhere on campus in order to quickly determine who is accounted for and who isn’t during an emergency.

Reliable wi-fi has also improved the use of innovation within our classrooms. Now that teachers are confident in the wireless network, they are evolving their curricula to include technology such as coding, robotics, Google Expeditions VR Classroom kits and a wide range of other digital learning tools.

Lessons learned:

• When you implement the right network, you’ll know it – when we first deployed Aruba wi-fi, all the connectivity problems we’d experienced in classrooms vanished.
• Everything ultimately connects back to the core of the network, so choosing a redundant and reliable core switch is key to implementing other technologies.
• When choosing a wireless provider, it’s important to consider how they will support applications for the classroom, especially in a 1:1 initiative.
• If you’re considering ways to enhance student security, consider your connectivity outside as well as inside in order to have reliable communication during an emergency.

Next steps:

• Our facilities management staff is looking at new ways to add building automation and access systems to our network.
• In order to ensure the advanced data security required for IoT devices, we are adopting ClearPass Policy Manager.
• We are planning to enhance our student success with more cloud-based solutions for teaching, learning and administration.