Money, Data, Security: The Biggest
Challenges Facing K-12 Tech Leaders
CoSN’s 2019 K-12 IT Leadership Survey identifies many challenges that school districts must address. EdWeek interviewed five district IT leaders to learn how they are responding to these challenges:
• Beefing up cybersecurity and running a secure network. • Budgeting on a shoestring – budgeting constraints are a major barrier but shouldn’t compromise security. • Leveraging data to drive instruction – more focus on the how and why of using classroom devices and instructional software.
• Breaking down information silos – information flow should be seamless and digital content interoperable. • Improving training and professional development – PD should always be ongoing and tied to impacting student learning, not looking cool. A higher level of consistency in how technology is viewed and implemented makes everyone more comfortable and on board.
Schools Collect Tons of Student Information. Deleting It All Is a Major Challenge Schools have historically erred on the side of retaining most data they collect which raises considerable risk. An effective policy on retention and deletion should be a top priority. FERPA and COPPA require third-party operators contracting with schools to destroy personally identifiable information when it is no longer needed, but state laws vary tremendously.
The Center for Democracy & Technology suggests three steps for states and districts to follow: • Create comprehensive inventories • Develop clear policies • Learn and employ technical best practices To learn more: Deletion and Student Privacy: I Forgot to Remember to Forget June 30th: National Student Data Deletion Day For K-12 Public Schools NYSED Student Records Retention and Disposition Schedule ED-1
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