How schools can fight growing ransomware attacks

Cyber criminals are a growing threat to schools and to students’ privacy, making data security extremely important

Key points: The education sector is facing a growing and multiplying menace: a surge in cyberattacks by ransomware groups that are leveraging generative artificial intelligence and other sophisticated tools. Recently, a software provider was the target of a data breach that affected K-12 school districts across the U.S. As a … Read More

Schools must bolster network continuity as they adopt more technology

Online learning requires constant connectivity so students to access learning materials and turn in assignments

Key points: Technological innovations have always been a vital aspect of education, with today’s classrooms coming a long way from chalkboards and overhead projectors to the latest in cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Network infrastructure is at the heart of these modern technologies, enabling the resources … Read More

Protecting our students: The urgency of securing education data

Protecting all data is important, but safeguarding the personal information of young students is especially critical

Key points: When considering industries such as finance or healthcare, the potential for sensitive data to fall into the wrong hands is a common concern. These sectors are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the financial and personal information they store. But there is another critical area often overlooked in … Read More

Beyond the visible: Recognizing and accommodating invisible disabilities

More conversations are needed around access and protections for those with non-apparent disabilities that aren’t always addressed

This post on accommodating invisible disabilities originally appeared on CoSN’s blog and is reposted here with permission. Key points: The concept of accessibility for individuals with disabilities has been an evolving journey, significantly propelled by landmark legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Enacted over three decades ago, … Read More

Why AI in the classroom needs its own ‘doll test’ 70 years post-Brown

AI chatbots could become the new face of discrimination in education--they have the potential to exacerbate existing inequalities and create new ones

Key points: As we mark the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, it’s worth reflecting on a simple experiment’s role in dismantling the doctrine of “separate but equal.” In the 1940s, psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark conducted the now-famous “doll test,” which revealed the negative … Read More

High school computer science classes might expand in Michigan–will that address equity issues?

Some stakeholders worry that under-resourced schools will struggle to offer high-quality computer science courses due to a lack of certified staff

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. In her two years of high school at Dearborn Public Schools’ Virtual K-12 school, rising junior Weaam AlAliyi has already learned about computer programming, understanding algorithms, and data analysis in three computer science courses. Weaam believes … Read More

Increasing K-12 tech accessibility

Students need tech knowledge and skills--which means their classrooms need to be equipped with tech tools

Key points: Believing that all students have the same access to technology is a mistake. According to the U.S. Census, 90 percent of American households have a broadband internet subscription, and 95 percent have a computer–but that doesn’t mean kids are learning to use these tech tools as they should. … Read More

Advancing digital equity through teacher leadership

In today’s digital world, teachers must have the skills and knowledge to effectively use technology to enhance student learning

I was a chemist, not a teacher. As I sat in the principal’s office interviewing for a teaching role at a school closer to my home than the factory where I conducted polymer research and development, I faced a tough question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Not … Read More

How SEL can help prevent burnout in teachers and students

Integrating SEL into daily practices helps schools equip teachers and students with the tools to navigate stress and build strong connections

Key points: The demands of modern education often leave teachers and students feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. From juggling multiple responsibilities to meeting high expectations, burnout has become a significant challenge in schools. Social-emotional learning (SEL) offers a way to combat this issue, providing tools to build resilience, foster connection, and … Read More