Josh and Chris recap the hectic second week of school, covering Chromebook rollouts, Clever headaches, cell‑phone bans, and a recent ChromeOS update rollback. They also ask the question "Is Esports a sport?" 

The episode highlight? A candid interview with Adeel Khan, founder and CEO of MagicSchool. Adeel shares MagicSchool's origin story, how MagicSchool uses AI models with human‑in‑the‑loop evaluations, its focus on K12 privacy, and its plans for customizable district tools and an AI operating system for schools.

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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.

Josh and Chris talk about the first week back to school - Smartboard repairs, missing classroom printers, tech tickets, moving equipment, and more. They also share anecdotes about Mark’s Alaska trip (send pics for prizes).

They also discuss vendor DPAs, the fallout from bell‑to‑bell cell phone bans, and creative MFA options.

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CTL

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Fortinet

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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.

Josh, Chris and Mark dive into the chaos of the back‑to‑school rush and the latest K‑12 tech headlines. Topics include Ohio’s new requirement that districts adopt AI policies, the pros and cons of writing evergreen AI regulations, and how that mandate could interact with existing tech agreements.

The trio also covers recent news like ChatGPT‑5’s launch and integrations, a Fortinet vulnerability alert, and San Francisco Unified’s payroll/ERP struggles. Between updates they share candid stories from the frontline: ticket surges as staff return, construction and classroom rollouts, recovering deleted Google accounts, and practical coping strategies for IT teams (from daily planning tricks to quick wellness tips).

Expect first‑hand anecdotes, real‑world advice for managing summer‑to‑school transitions and a light‑hearted finale — the improvised children’s story “Grumpy Josh and the Magical Gummies.” Tune in for an episode that blends policy debate, troubleshooting war stories, and a little comic relief.

Referenced Links:

https://marketbrief.edweek.org/regulation-policy/ohio-is-requiring-ai-policies-for-all-k-12-schools-will-other-states-follow/2025/08

https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/sfusd-payroll-software-prompts-teachers-union-labor-complaint

Grumpy Josh Storybook: https://g.co/gemini/share/477028792b1c

00:00:00-Intro

00:12:44-AI Policies in Education

00:17:00-Summer Woes

00:42:55-Grumpy Josh

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Managed Methods

CTL

VIZOR

Fortinet

--------------------

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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 talk about AI (and other things)! We discuss the growing concerns surrounding school surveillance tools, examining case studies where innocent student jokes have led to harsh outcomes due to automated threat detection. Shifting gears, we look at the availability of AI tools like Gemini Pro and ChatGPT for college students, including student discount programs. Also, we analyze a recent Common Sense Media report on AI teacher assistants, discussing their moderate risk rating, potential for invisible influence, concerns about novice teachers taking content as fact, and the risks associated with using AI for high-stakes circumstances like IEP creation or grading. 

Much of the episode is spent unpacking Jay's K12TechPro survey regarding Gemini and NotebookLM in classrooms, revealing current district policies on AI use for staff and students, and the presence (or absence) of board policies.

Referenced URLs:

00:00:00-Intro

00:14:21-Gemini & ChatGPT Student Promo

00:16:00-Surveilling Students

00:19:15-Common Sense Media - Bias in AI

00:25:43-Are you enabling AI for students?

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PowerGistics

Lightspeed (Check out Signal!)

Fortinet

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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.

This week, we're covering some hot topics making headlines, including the recent unfreezing of billions in education funds, new disability policies being considered in Louisiana that involve cameras in classrooms, and the rise of AI-powered instruction in a Texas private school.

Beyond the news, our main topic is a deep dive into how states and schools are currently handling cell phone bans. We'll explore different approaches, from school-by-school discretion to bell-to-bell bans and even complete prohibitions on possession. We'll discuss the implications of these policies and what they mean for students and educators in the digital age.

News articles discussed:

https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/25/trump-administration-unfreezes-billions-in-education-funds-for-schools/

https://www.nola.com/news/education/la-schools-must-update-disability-policies-under-new-law/article_2951749d-d2ce-47d1-ae45-81b8d48237f9.html

https://www.foxnews.com/us/ai-running-classroom-texas-school-students-say-its-awesome

https://malegislature.gov/PressRoom/Detail?pressReleaseId=231

00:00:00-Intro

00:11:23-Controversial LA Law

00:16:43-Texas AI School

00:18:30-State Cell Phone Bans

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PowerGistics

NTP

--------------------

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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 this week as we welcome our new AI co-host and delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of vendor support in small districts. From the highlights of the MidwestTechTalk conference to the intricacies of tech support for small schools, we cover it all. Hear about the latest AI updates in education with Canvas integrating ChatGPT and the DOE's new AI guidelines. We also discuss the importance of vendor relationships, pricing transparency, and the impact of federal funding freezes.

Articles Referenced:

https://mashable.com/article/open-ai-education-canvas-partnership

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250708034741/en/PowerSchool-Announces-Antonio-Pietri-as-Next-CEO-Effective-October-6-2025

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/22/microsoft-sharepoint-chinese-hackers.html

https://www.k12dive.com/news/gop-senators-letter-trump-omb-frozen-education-funds/753366/

https://www.k12dive.com/news/states-sue-over-frozen-education-funds-Linda-McMahon-Trump-OMB/752995/

https://thejournal.com/articles/2025/07/23/ed-grant-portal-target-of-phishing-campaign.aspx?admgarea=News1

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-guidance-artificial-intelligence-use-schools-proposes-additional-supplemental-priority

00:00:00-Introduction

00:19:00-Vendor Support for Small Districts

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PowerGistics

Lightspeed Systems

Managed Methods

Fortinet

Extreme Networks

NTP

--------------------

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OR [email protected]

Call us at 314-329-0363

Join the K12TechPro Community

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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.

Josh, Chris, and Mark dive deep into the latest product and licensing changes announced by Google this summer. 

The trio discusses how Google's updates could impact schools, highlighting essential decisions IT Directors and educators need to make regarding AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM. Special emphasis is placed on Google's move to enhance the classroom experience, with standalone products like Google Vids and other classroom management tools.

Listeners can expect an exploration of Google's strategic updates in their offerings, along with insights on managing these changes effectively, especially in context with budget considerations and licensing shifts. Whether you're a tech director or a classroom teacher, this episode is packed with valuable information to help navigate the evolving educational technology landscape.

News articles discussed:

District sued by parent over digital hall pass software - https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2025/07/oregon-parent-takes-school-district-to-court-over-digital-hall-pass-privacy-issues.html

ISTE EdTech Index now available in Clever, Classlink, and SchoolDay - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/helping-schools-make-safer-smarter-edtech-connectionsnow-with-trusted-quality-indicators-302494504.html

Google's Summer Updates - https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2025/06/gemini-google-classroom-all-edu-editions.html

00:00:00-Intro

00:05:50-National Education News Update

00:08:25-Privacy Concerns in Schools

00:12:35-ISTE Edtech Index

00:14:40-Google Updates

00:17:20-Gemini & Notebook LM

00:24:38-Google Vids

00:26:36-Google Classroom

00:35:32-Google Meet

00:36:40-Class Tools

00:48:00-Licensing Changes Explained

00:55:08-Episode Wrap-Up and Next Steps

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PowerGistics

Luma

Fortinet

Extreme Networks

VIZOR

--------------------

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OR [email protected]

Call us at 314-329-0363

Join the K12TechPro Community

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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 for an exciting episode recorded live at the GAMEIS Conference in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. Our hosts dive into the world of education technology and cybersecurity with insights from key players in the field.

Listeners will hear from prominent figures in the Georgia ed-tech scene, including Rusty Boone from McIntosh County, who shares innovative Chromebook management strategies and the benefits of involving students in device care. Roman Gaddis and Logan Evans discuss the growing importance of AI in schools, while Geekender makes a special appearance to talk about the role of the Reddit K12sysadmin community.

From addressing challenges such as ransomware and cybersecurity to networking with peers and learning about the latest tech trends, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the opportunities and issues facing educational technology today. Tune in to experience the camaraderie, culinary delights, and cutting-edge content that defined the GAMEIS Conference 2025.

00:00:00-GAMEIS Conference

00:03:17-Rusty Boone

00:24:19-Chromebookparts.com

00:25:56-Craig Dinn

00:32:50-Clint & Holly

00:38:10-Logan Evans

00:48:50-Geekender!

00:53:10-Closing

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PowerGistics' favorite Chromebook damage excuses

Fortinet

Lightspeed

Managed Methods

VIZOR

NTP

--------------------

Email us at [email protected]

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Call us at 314-329-0363

Join the K12TechPro Community

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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 and Mark on the K-12 Tech Talk Podcast as they tackle pressing issues impacting the education sector. This week, they delve into the Supreme Court's decision to preserve E-Rate funding, celebrating a 6-3 vote victory that aligns with predictions. Listen in as they break down the implications of dissenting voices seeking stricter non-delegation doctrines.

The hosts shift gears to dissect the White House’s newly announced AI and Education Pledge, questioning the sustainability of funding pledges amid a federal education funding freeze affecting vital programs across 33 states. They detail the monetary impact this pause could have, reporting on fears of cuts following a pocket rescission.

Riding the wave of announcements, Josh and Mark explore Google's latest suite of enhancements, including Gemini in Google Classroom, promoting advanced functionality in lesson planning and personalized learning tools. They highlight the innovative classroom management features now possible, particularly for English Language Learners, showcasing real-time translations and AI-driven assessments.

However, the excitement is tempered by a deep dive into Google's new licensing structure, which clouds the atmosphere with costs rising. The changes demand strategic planning from districts, especially where financial constraints loom large following the expiration of ESSER funds.

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00:00:00-Intro

00:01:44-Supreme Court’s E-rate Decision

00:04:25-White House AI and Education Pledge

00:06:09-Federal Funding Pause Concerns

00:11:09-Google Announcements Overview

00:22:01-Google’s New Licensing Model

00:34:35-Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

Welcome to this week's episode with Chris and Mark (Josh is on vacation!). We give a sneak peek of ISTE and its EdTech index and the five quality indicators that are setting new standards for EdTech vendors.

This episode also examines the timely topic of staff transitions over the summer, unpacking the challenges associated with tech handovers, account management, and also the juggling act of summer vacations.

A special highlight is the coverage of a recent study on the implementation of a cell phone ban in schools, exploring the profound impacts it has had on classroom culture, social interaction, and student focus.

Additionally, we discuss... AI! We check out some highlights of Microsoft's 2025 AI and education report.

00:00:00-Intro

00:00:57-ISTE Preview

00:04:11-EdTech Rebranding

00:05:43-Cell Phone Ban Study Findings

00:11:04-AI in Education Report

00:18:17-Handling Employee Departures

00:36:10-Upcoming Events and Conferences

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PowerGistics' favorite Chromebook damage excuses

Fortinet

Lightspeed

Prey - Email [email protected] and/or click this link for info! 15% off first year!

CTL

--------------------

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Call us at 314-329-0363

Join the K12TechPro Community

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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.