K12 Tech Talk

This week, we discuss CoSN's initiative to train educators in AI readiness, aiming to scale AI adoption in K12 schools nationwide. The program features expert trainers and a K12 Gen AI Maturity Tool to help districts navigate the opportunities and risks of AI integration. Additionally, over 250 tech CEOs, including leaders from companies like Adobe, Microsoft, and IBM, have signed an open letter calling for mandatory AI education in all US schools, highlighting the growing importance of computer science education. It's not all positive news!!! We'll also cover the troubling issue of PowerSchool districts receiving an extortion attempt from the attackers. Finally, we touch on a viral TikTok trend that is causing widespread panic in schools as students are damaging Chromebooks, leading to shortages and disruptions in learning.   00:00:00-Intro 00:04:33-CoSN's AI Trainers 00:05:53-Tech CEOs call for AI Education 00:13:40-PowerSchool Extortion Letters 00:25:10-TikTok Chromebook Trend 00:37:00-Powergistics Interview -------------------- PowerGistics PowerGistics Buddy Photo Eaton Managed Methods VIZOR Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Join us live from the Indiana CTO Clinic, where tech and education experts come together for a vibrant discussion on the latest trends in tech integration in K12 education. The episode captures candid conversations with guests from various school districts across Indiana, spotlighting challenges and solutions in educational technology. Listen in as tech directors and educators share their experiences on navigating AI integration, cybersecurity, and the pivotal role of collaboration between tech and curriculum departments. Discover how Indiana schools are addressing teacher absenteeism, one-to-one device models, and legislative changes impacting education technology. Don't miss the discussion on app approval processes and the strategic partnerships that are driving effective tech implementation in schools. Interviews are with: Brad Hagg Josh Craig Christi Carmel Bill Stein Darlene Kennedy Nick Williams Matt and Ali Pete Just -------------------- PowerGistics NTP Lightspeed Managed Methods Extreme Networks Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Join us in this episode as Josh, Mark, and special guest K12TechPro's Jason Rooks dive into two compelling stories surrounding curriculum opt-outs and the complex position schools find themselves in. They explore a recent Supreme Court case impacting parental rights in curriculum choices and how this trend affects K-12 institutions nationwide. The discussion shifts to a significant executive order from Trump focusing on integrating AI education into school curriculums. The hosts debate the potential benefits and concerns raised by the educational community regarding the implementation and funding of such initiatives. 00:00:00-Intro 00:03:21-Curriculum Opt-Outs: A Legal Battle 00:14:23-Updates on COPPA Regulations 00:21:24-Classroom Technology: Future Considerations 00:36:48-Trump’s AI Executive Order Discussion 00:59:16-Interview with Lightspeed Systems -------------------- PowerGistics Lumu - On-demand Training on K-12 Is Now Considered Critical Cybersecurity Infrastructure: How to Defend Accordingly ClassLink VIZOR Fortinet Prey -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

In this episode, we dive into the current issues surrounding technology tariffs and their impact on K-12 education. We explore how these tariffs affect school budgets and procurement processes, providing insights into recent changes and what schools should anticipate moving forward. A segment is dedicated to addressing the complex topic of managing individual teacher requests for technology upgrades or changes. We share strategies for handling these situations at a district level while balancing the needs of staff and budgetary constraints. Additionally, the episode features a discussion about a significant lawsuit against Google, where parents accuse the tech giant of tracking students. We analyze the implications of this lawsuit for schools, data privacy, and the responsibilities of districts in safeguarding student information. End User on k12sysadmin   00:00:00-Intro 00:01:35-New Security Watch Newsletter 00:04:04-Google Lawsuit Overview 00:08:47-Tariffs and Electronics Update 00:15:54-Food in Schools 00:23:43-Teacher Requests for Technology 00:48:20-Events and Conferences Announcement -------------------- NTP ClassLink Lightspeed (Learn about Signal!) PowerGistics (Get Hayden's Hot Deal on K12TechPro!) -Charging Station Goals -Needs Assessment Survey Example for Students -Needs Assessment Survey Example for Teachers -Goal Resource for IT/Administrators Fortinet ManagedMethods -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 209 covers a range of topics, including a recap of the PowerSchool interview, news on a UC Irvine study about AI usage among teens, potential cuts to K12 cybersecurity funding, and a humorous moment involving the Secretary of Education (A1!). The main focus is on exploring the potential impacts of the Department of Education's closure on K12 technology, examining the roles of key divisions like the Office of Educational Technology, the Institute of Education Sciences, grant-making offices, the Student Privacy Policy Office, and the Office for Civil Rights. The episode discusses how the closure could affect national policy, research funding, student privacy, and digital equity in schools. News Articles: UC Irvine releases study on AI usage amongst teens. 4 things to know about Trump cuts to K-12 cybersecurity Linda McMahon thinks that A1 steak sauce is being taught in schools 00:00:00-Intro 00:07:10-News 00:11:40-A1 Steak Sauce??? 00:18:31-Job Titles 00:26:04-Impact of the DoE Closure on K12 Tech -------------------- Lumu Chromebookparts.com PowerGistics Classlink Fortinet Extreme Networks -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Join Josh, Chris, and Mark as they host an exclusive interview with Mishka, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of PowerSchool, following a significant cyber incident that changed the landscape of K-12 cyber-security. Discover the human side of crisis management, starting with Mishka’s initial reaction to the attack and learn about the rapid response to contain the damage. The discussion delves into PowerSchool's decision to be transparent with affected districts and hear practical advice on vendor assessments and the importance of internal security measures to minimize future threats. Reflecting on the lessons learned, Mishka discusses the steps PowerSchool has taken to bolster its security infrastructure and maintain an open communication channel with its clients. 00:00:00-Introduction to the Incident 00:08:21-Timeline Overview and Communication Strategy 00:24:08-Evaluating Third-Party Vendors 00:34:45-Future Security Measures and Improvements -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

We travel to the Emerald City this week to hang out with the great folks at CoSN! This podcast episode, recorded live at the CoSN conference in Seattle, offers interviews with participants, organizers, and presenters. Topics centered around the human aspect of AI, cybersecurity, and some amazing innovations from school districts around the county! 00:00:00-Introduction 00:02:00-Edward McKaveney 00:09:15-Adam Garry 00:15:04-Dr. Richard Charles 00:23:19-Pete Just 00:30:25-CTL 00:35:20-Jason Eyre 00:43:05-Lightspeed 00:45:16-Keith Krueger CoSN AI Readiness Lightspeed Signal -------------------- A special thanks to our sponsors... NTP, Lightspeed, ClassLink, VIZOR, Fortinet, PowerGistics -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

The big court case has finally arrived! We break down the oral arguments that were presented this week to the Supreme Court that will ultimately determine the fate of E-Rate. Will we see this essential program carry on or will the lower court's ruling strike down this key program? We discuss the arguments for and against with clips from the hearing this week. We also discuss the potential for student MFA and what the K12TechPro Community thinks will be the timeline for us to implement MFA on student accounts. Spoiler alert - it will take a while. The episode concludes with an interview with VIZOR. -------------------- 00:00:00-Intro 00:05:46-Student MFA? 00:13:20-E-Rate in the Supreme Court 00:45:45-Interview with VIZOR -------------------- Classlink Managed Methods Fortinet Extreme Networks VIZOR -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

In this week's episode, Chris and Mark delve into a recent massive data breach that has had significant repercussions for hundreds of thousands of educators in Pennsylvania. They explore the startling details of the breach, discussing its implications and the timeline of the response. The episode features an interview with Terry Loftus, the CIO of San Diego County and chair of the MS-ISAC Executive Committee. Loftus provides insight into the recent funding cuts to MS-ISAC, explaining the potential impacts on education technology and the broader context of these changes. Additionally, the guys address the latest news on tech tariffs, examining how these tariffs are beginning to affect K-12 district budgets and procurement processes via K12TechPro survey. 00:00:00-Intro 00:03:25-Pennsylvania Data Breach 00:09:20-Tariff Survey Results 00:17:11-Interview with Terry Loftus -------------------- NTP CTL Classlink Lightspeed Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

In this episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark delve into the recent challenges facing K-12 technology in light of new tariffs and significant budget cuts. They discuss the potential impact of these economic and political changes on school services, with a specific focus on the technology and cybersecurity landscapes. A key highlight of this episode is an in-depth analysis of the MS-ISAC funding cuts announced this week. As a member of the MS-ISAC Executive Committee, Josh shares insights on the repercussions these cuts could have on cybersecurity measures and services provided to schools. The hosts also explore the broader impact of tariffs on technology purchases, from student devices to school infrastructure, and discuss alternative strategies that schools may need to adopt. They consider the potential domino effects on construction, transportation, and food services within schools due to tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. Throughout the episode, there's also a segment about the enduring presence of fax machines in schools, reflecting on how some traditional technologies remain integral despite advancements. MS-ISAC Cybersecurity Report https://learn.cisecurity.org/2025-k12-cybersecurity-report-download   PowerSchool Summary Report https://www.powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/   MS-ISAC Loses Federal Support https://statescoop.com/ms-isac-loses-federal-support/   00:00:00-Introduction 00:00:32-Post-Security Symposium Reflections 00:05:17-MS-ISAC Cybersecurity Report Overview 00:10:16-Tariffs Impacting K-12 Technology 00:25:15-We still use fax machines??? 00:32:30-Understanding Recent MS-ISAC Funding Cuts   -------------------- Classlink Managed Methods VIZOR Extreme Networks Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.