In this “From the Vault” episode, we revisit CoSN’s August 2024 webinar, “Trailblazing into 2025: Initiatives that Under-resourced, Suburban & Large Urban Districts Are Implementing Now.” We take a fresh look at the innovative strategies district leaders shared—from VR explorations and virtualized engineering labs to new professional learning structures, AI readiness, UDL integration, and pathways for achieving “yes” in complex environments.
This reflective discussion highlights why the themes from 2024 remain essential for district leaders planning in 2025 and beyond.
What You’ll Learn:
How VR is being used as an equity tool to expand access to transformative learning experiences
Why virtualizing labs and district systems can increase agility for small tech teams
How “learn at your own pace” professional learning structures are reshaping educator development
Ways districts are finding creative pathways from “no” to “yes” to drive innovation
How AI is being integrated into UDL strategies and teacher wellness initiatives
What intentional, student-centered AI adoption looks like in practice
Why This Matters:
Although recorded in 2024, the insights and strategies from this webinar continue to influence district planning, technology integration, and professional learning models in 2025.
Resources Mentioned:
CoSN Webinar: “Trailblazing into 2025”: Innovations from Under-Resourced, Suburban & Urban Districts
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
The products and services mentioned in this webinar are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by CoSN or edCircuit.
In this episode, we unpack insights from CoSN’s recent webinar, AI, Automation, and the Future of K–12 Networks. The discussion explores how artificial intelligence and automation are transforming district operations—from network security and data management to staffing, readiness, and responsible adoption.
You’ll hear how district leaders and technology experts are using AI to strengthen cybersecurity, streamline help-desk operations, and prepare for a future where intelligent automation supports every aspect of learning and infrastructure.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Operational AI in Action: How districts are using automation for help-desk support, network monitoring, and knowledge management.
Bridging the Skill Gap: Why training, trust, and transparency are essential for successful AI adoption.
Cybersecurity Reinvented: How AI-driven monitoring and “agentic automation” detect, prevent, and respond to attacks in real time.
Data Integrity and Ethics: Why clean, secure data is the foundation for every AI initiative.
The Maturity Model Framework: Understanding CoSN’s seven domains of AI readiness and where most districts fall on the journey.
Vendor Accountability: How to evaluate AI tools for privacy, transparency, and long-term trust.
Future Readiness: Preparing students for a 2037 graduation world driven by AI, automation, and emerging quantum technologies.
Resources Mentioned
AI, Automation, and the Future of K–12 Networks CoSN Webinar
CoSN.org/AI – Explore CoSN’s survey report, infographics, and webinar replay.
CoSN / Council of the Great City Schools AI Maturity Model – Assess your district’s readiness across seven domains.
Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal – Strengthen data privacy and protection in K–12.
CoSN’s CIRCUITS Committee – Advancing resilient cloud infrastructure and operational innovation in education.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
In this episode, we unpack CoSN’s CIRCUITS — Critical Infrastructure and Resilient Clouds for Unified Innovation and Technology in Schools — Committee's resource, Building Your Learning Continuity Plan or Business Continuity Plan. The discussion explores how districts can create resilience frameworks that keep learning and essential operations running—even when systems go down.
You’ll hear how to design, activate, and test a continuity plan that prioritizes safety, communication, and recovery, while preparing your district for both on-prem and cloud disruptions.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Learning vs. Business Continuity Plans: How each supports instruction and district operations.
Defining scope and priorities: Setting clear activation criteria and identifying mission-critical systems.
Safety first: Why life and health take precedence before recovery efforts begin.
Communication matters: How to structure leadership coordination and public messaging.
Backup and recovery best practices: Testing, storage locations, and cloud provider contract reviews.
Recovery site options: Hot sites, cold sites, and cloud recovery—what they mean and when to use them.
Testing and validation: Why tabletop exercises and full restoration drills are essential for readiness.
Essential documentation: Appendices every plan should include—contacts, maps, sample forms, and recovery plans.
Resources Mentioned
CoSN CIRCUITS Committee – advancing resilient infrastructure and innovation in K-12.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
As K–12 school districts grow increasingly dependent on always-on, secure, and high-performing networks, IT leaders face mounting challenges in managing complexity, ensuring security, and supporting digital learning at scale. With a surge in connected devices, cloud-based applications, and IoT infrastructure, the traditional approach to network operations is being tested.
To better understand how districts are addressing these challenges—and where AI and automation fit into the evolving network strategy—CoSN and HPE conducted a survey of district technology leaders across the country.
Join this exclusive webinar as we unveil key findings from the survey, including:
Moderator:
Keith Krueger
CoSN CEO
Speakers:
Dr. Richard Charles
CIO Denver Public Schools
Erik Heinrich
K-12 Field CTO HPE
Pete Just, CETL
Executive Director of Indiana CTO Council & CoSN AI Subject Matter Expert
This session will provide a data-informed look at how school districts are reimagining their network environments and what steps leaders can take to build more intelligent, resilient, and future-ready infrastructure.
Who Should Attend: CTOs, CIOs, network administrators, technology leaders, and anyone involved in school district infrastructure planning.
CoSN 2025 Member Survey Results can be found here.
Webinar Recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ZluPLZzCQ&t=3s
Presented by: CoSN, sponsored by HPE
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
In this episode, we break down CoSN’s webinar, Navigating Updates on COPPA and Beyond: What K–12 Technology Leaders Need to Know. The discussion unpacks how the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) latest changes to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) affect districts, vendors, and the broader edtech ecosystem.
You’ll hear how these updates reshape definitions of personal information, raise the bar for vendor security practices, and clarify the role districts play in managing parental consent for educational tools.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
COPPA basics: Why compliance applies to companies, not schools—but why districts still play a critical role.
New definitions of personal information: Expansion to include biometrics, government-issued IDs, and mobile phone numbers.
Updated parental consent rules: Including text-based verification and clearer processes for education vs. commercial data use.
Stronger security standards: Written security plans, annual risk assessments, and third-party compliance requirements.
Data retention requirements: Companies must publish and follow clear deletion policies once data is no longer needed.
District responsibilities: Why consent should come from the district level—not individual teachers—and how this impacts edtech adoption.
What’s next: Compliance timelines, what the FTC left out of the rule updates, and how districts can proactively prepare.
Webinar Recording Free for CoSN Members
CoSN Student Data Privacy Toolkit – resources to help districts strengthen privacy practices.
COPPA Rule Updates – FTC – review the Federal Trade Commission’s official rule changes.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
In this episode, we take a practical deep dive into the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Practices Self-Evaluation—the first big step districts can take on the journey to earning the CoSN TLE Seal.
You’ll learn how the Self-Evaluation helps schools measure their privacy practices across five key areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development, and Classroom. More importantly, you’ll hear how districts can use the results to highlight strengths, identify gaps, and chart a clear path forward.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How the scoring works: From “not yet considered” to “mature policy in place,” and what each rating means.
The five practice areas in detail:
Leadership – policies, accountability, and culture.
Business – vendor vetting and privacy in contracts.
Data Security – technical safeguards, audits, and recovery plans.
Professional Development – training staff and raising parent awareness.
Classroom – how teachers model safe practices and digital citizenship.
The real value: Why the Self-Evaluation is less about pass/fail and more about building a roadmap.
What happens next: How to turn results into an improvement plan and begin working toward the Full Seal or a Mini Seal.
Good news: The Self-Evaluation is free and immediately available to all districts.
Resources & Links
CoSN Trusted Learning Environment page – download the Self-Evaluation and learn more about the Seal program.
Episode 1: What is the Trusted Learning Environment Seal? Listen to the first part of this series if you missed it.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
The FTC recently finalized its changes to the COPPA, and while they didn’t move forward with a number of proposed updates specific to education, there are still requirements for ed tech companies that you should know about. Join data privacy consultant Linnette Attai, director of CoSN’s Student Data Privacy and Trusted Learning initiatives and policy expert Reg Leichty, founder of Foresight Law + Policy PLLC who lead’s CoSN’s policy and advocacy for a look at what’s changed in COPPA, what hasn’t (and why). They’ll help you understand what you can expect from ed tech companies in the future (and what you should have been seeing all along) plus updates on what might be percolating in Washington, DC around potential (and long-awaited) updates to FERPA.
If you’re responsible for your district’s student data privacy program or just want to get ahead of the curve on updates to federal privacy laws in education, this webinar is for you.
Presenters:
Linnette Attai, Director
CoSN’s Student Data Privacy
and Trusted Learning Initiatives
Reg Leichty, Founder
Foresight Law + Policy PLLC
This webinar took place on February 12, 2025
Webinar Recording Free for CoSN Members
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
In this episode, we kick off a two-part series on student data privacy with a deep dive into the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal.
The TLE Seal is more than just a badge—it’s a commitment that a school system is protecting student data across five critical practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development, and Classroom.
You will learn:
Why the Seal matters for building trust with families and communities.
How it goes beyond compliance to create a culture of transparency and accountability.
What “mature practices” look like in real schools.
Why the Mini Seal can be a flexible entry point for districts starting their privacy journey.
With Seal recipients already improving protections for over 1.3 million students, the program is setting the standard for how schools earn the confidence of parents, educators, and students.
Key Takeaways:
The TLE Seal is both a safeguard and a symbol of trust.
It’s a district-wide effort, not just an IT checklist.
Schools commit to continuous improvement—not just a one-time certification.
The Mini Seal option allows districts to start small and build momentum.
Want to learn more? Visit CoSN.org to explore the TLE Seal program, success stories, and resources to begin your district’s journey.
Resources:
Trusted Learning Environment Seal Application
Additional Key Resources:
Be sure to tune into Episode 2, where we’ll unpack the TLE Practices Self-Evaluation—the first step in earning the Seal.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
Join us on a journey to understand the pivotal role this dynamic duo plays in fostering a culture of innovation, empowering educators and IT professionals through skill development, and preparing students for a future that seamlessly blends curriculum and technology.
Key Take Aways:
Target Audience: Superintendents & Senior Cabinet leaders (CBO/CFO/CAO/CTO/CIO); Experienced Ed Tech Leaders/CTO/CIO; Instructional/Educational Technology Leaders
Speakers:
Alison Schlotfeldt, CETL (she/her/hers)
Curriculum Integration Coordinator
School City of Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana
Matt Modlin, CETL
Director of Technology
School City of Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEdE0xeXebc
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
The products and services mentioned in this webinar are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by CoSN or edCircuit.
In this episode, we explore highlights from CoSN’s recent webinar, Remember the Human: Deploying AI in Your District. Four education leaders: Mike Lawrence (ABC Unified), Jerry Almendarez (Santa Ana Unified/Creative Futures), Christopher Hoang (LACOE), and Chad Laines (ABC Unified), share how they’re implementing AI in real K–12 contexts.
From district-wide pilots to county-level training, each speaker emphasizes one guiding principle: AI must enhance, not replace, human intelligence.
We cover how districts can start with small, safe experiments, publish guidelines over rigid policies, and focus on transparency with families and students.
The conversation also touches on budget strategies, governance models, academic integrity, and real-world classroom use cases.
Whether you’re just beginning with AI or refining your district’s approach, this episode provides practical, battle-tested insights for leaders, teachers, and technologists.
Key Takeaways:
Lead with HI + AI: keep human intelligence at the center.
Start small with safe pilots—volunteers, not mandates.
Use guidelines (not rigid policy) to stay agile.
Put IT leaders at the cabinet table for smarter adoption.
Engage students and families through roundtables and communication toolkits.
Reframe academic integrity around culture and trust.
Leverage existing platforms before buying new tools.
Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.
Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTube
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
Generative AI. Digital equity. Staffing shortages. These aren’t abstract trends; they’re the real forces shaping schools in 2025.
In this episode, Driving K–12 Innovation 2025: Ethics, Workforce, and What’s Next, we break down CoSN’s 2025 findings and what they mean for educators today. Based on the Driving K–12 Innovation 2025 Summit webinar, this conversation distills the big themes into practical insights.
We explore why ethical innovation requires more than adopting the newest tool, how schools can build capacity to retire outdated tech, and why preparing students for the future of work means redefining success beyond test scores.
Key Takeaways:
Innovation isn’t good or bad until it’s anchored to purpose
Ethical capacity must be built among teachers and students
Schools need to know when to retire tools that no longer serve learning
Adaptability, creativity, and new pathways are critical to the future workforce
Resources:
Driving K–12 Innovation 2025 Summit (companion webinar recording)
Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.
Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTube
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
As districts across the globe grapple with the tectonic shifts caused by generative AI, there is a tendency to rush to the tool as an answer to nearly all challenges of content creation, evaluation and synthesis. This approach, while exciting, diminishes the human intelligence that is essential to effective, ethical and equitable deployment of this technology. This session provides guidance for a responsible process by which your educational community can engage in the thoughtful and impactful use of artificial intelligence for all students, ethically. Remembering the human element, practice empathy and asking the right questions are the path forward.
Key Take Aways:
Moderator:
Mike Lawrence, CAE
Director, Information & Technology
ABC Unified School District
Cerritos, California
Presenters:
Gerardo Martinez, MA
Executive Director, Educational Technology
Westminster School District
Westminster, California
Christopher Hoang, EdD
Assistant Director, Technology Innovation and Outreach
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Downey, California
Jerry Almendarez
Former Superintendent
Santa Ana Unified School District
Santa Ana, CA
Chad Laines
Instructional Technology Specialist
ABC Unified School District
Cerritos, California
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnsbKXw_2jQ
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
The products and services mentioned in this webinar are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by CoSN or edCircuit.
Cellphones are everywhere in schools — in backpacks, pockets, and sometimes under desks. But should they be banned, restricted, or embraced as learning tools? In this episode, inspired by CoSN’s To Ban or Not to Ban? Tackling Cellphones in Classrooms webinar, Common Sense Media’s Merve Lapus reframes the debate.
We explore why banning phones alone doesn’t teach digital discipline, how schools can combine policy with digital citizenship education, and the role of community alignment in making rules stick. Hear real-world examples like phone-free zones, lockable pouches, and student-led policy design — all aimed at building intentional, balanced tech use.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why rules alone don’t create lasting digital habits
Strategies for pairing cellphone policies with digital well-being lessons
How to engage students, staff, and parents in shaping expectations
Practical activities to help students self-regulate device use
Whether you’re a teacher, principal, or district leader, this episode offers actionable ways to move beyond bans and prepare students to thrive in a tech-driven world.
Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.
Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTube
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
During this session, we will highlight the implementation journey of our Generative AI Pilot Program, which aims to teach high school students how to use Generative AI safely and ethically within an academic setting.
This session will cover the development of teachers’ expertise in Generative AI, creation of AI policy, our decision-making process for selecting an AI platform, and the strategic structure of the Pilot Program to ensure its success. Additionally, we’ll share real examples of how students are using generative AI into their classroom experiences, along with insights from participating teachers and students. All session resources will be accessible to participants, allowing them to follow our step-by-step approach and adapt it to their own schools or districts.
This session is a great way to discover how you can get your students using Generative AI safely and ethically in an academic setting.
Key Take Aways:
Presenters:
Alexandra Ackerman (she/her/hers)
Administrator for Managed Technology Services
Broome-Tioga BOCES Johnson City, New York
Dustin Andrus
Administrator of Educational Technology
Broome-Tioga BOCES Binghamton, New York
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
The products and services mentioned in this webinar are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by CoSN or edCircuit.
In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, we recap highlights from CoSN’s webinar Safeguarding Student Privacy: Ethical Use of AI in K–12 Education.
Why student privacy is about trust, not just compliance.
How districts are building strong data governance frameworks.
Key federal privacy laws—FERPA, COPPA, and PPRA—and why they’re struggling to keep pace with technology.
What to ask edtech vendors before adopting new tools.
Emerging privacy challenges with AI, from algorithmic bias to data provenance.
Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.
Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTube
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
Eliminating students' use of smartphones during the school day is right in concept but challenging in execution. Students would absolutely benefit from less distraction from phones and social media, and more in-person interaction at school. The challenge for schools comes not in establishing these policies but in enforcing these policies, which requires diligent participation from the whole community. School policies should be accompanied with learning about digital citizenship and proper phone etiquette to help kids learn the challenges and benefits of technology and how to establish healthy digital habits. This will serve them well not just in school, but for the rest of their lives.
This session will address students' digital well-being beyond phone bans with evidence-based lessons designed to help build agency, reduce anxious thoughts, and increase mindfulness related to their tech habits. Attendees will receive hands-on experiences illustrating activities centered on digital well-being strategies for students.
Key Take Aways:
Identify opportunities to pair digital citizenship implementation with cellphone bans or policies
develop a whole community approach to addressing device bans/policies
Learn from colleagues to reference best practices
Presenter:
Merve Lapus
Vice President, Education Outreach & Engagement
Common Sense Media
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This presentation explores responsible AI implementation in K-12 education, focusing on enhancing learning while protecting student data. Topics include the benefits and risks of AI, best practices for data privacy and security, compliance with legal standards, and practical AI applications that ensure student privacy. Learn how to use AI responsibly to create a safe and effective educational environment.
Key Take Aways:
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
How will you innovate in your school district or organization this year?
Join CoSN’s Edtech Innovation Committee at our upcoming webinar on Wednesday, August 21, when you will discover how under-resourced, suburban, and large urban districts are implementing groundbreaking strategies to transform education in the upcoming school year. Edtech leaders in K-12 education will highlight practical examples and successful innovations that are paving the way for future-ready schools. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and prepare for another year of educational excellence.
The presenters are from the CoSN EdTech Innovations Committee.
During the session, we discussed various new initiatives, including:
In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!
Continuous Learning, AI, and Digital Education Strategy
CoSN CEO Keith R. Krueger welcomed everyone, particularly the delegation from the US and Australia, to discuss the importance of continuous learning, especially in the context of the pandemic. The conversation focused on the sustainability of investments in education and infrastructure, and the potential of artificial intelligence in education. Carlos Medina from the Spanish Ministry of Education provided insights on their digital education strategy, highlighting a significant investment of €1 billion over the years to equip all classrooms in Spain and close the digital divide by providing devices to students. He also shared that they have invested €300 million in a digital school plan for all schools in Spain and aim to certify the digital competence of 560,000 teachers in the next year.
Please note: The audio starts off poor but improves quickly!
Join us for a dynamic discussion on the K-12 Generative AI Maturity Tool, developed collaboratively by CoSN, the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS), and Amazon Web Services (AWS). This tool builds on the insights from the K-12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist launched in the autumn of 2023. It is designed to help school districts assess and enhance their readiness for integrating Generative AI technologies.
Throughout the webinar, a district leader currently using the tool will share experiences and insights, demonstrating how the tool has supported their instructional and operational objectives.
Participants will learn how to access the tool, evaluate their district’s AI maturity, secure additional support, and utilize the tailored recommendations to foster continuous improvement.
In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/