On this week's episode, hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the Dept of Education's proposed budget and what the cuts could mean for K-12 education. Many of the programs may seem distant from our world but the trickle-down effects could be felt immediately for many districts.

We also dive into some additional changes at the FCC as well as MS-ISAC, as districts are learning that some services will now have an annual fee.

Our main topic this week is the RFP process - the good, the bad, and the ugly side of RFPs as well as how you can improve your RFPs with 5 simple tips. We break down our recommendations for your next RFP into this simple template that you can use to create a proposal that your vendors will want to respond to!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11435vbxeVSTWntTGFxTkzWlBatyEHlCfYEcmlgE6V4w/edit?usp=sharing

00:00:00-Introduction

00:11:30-More changes in the FCC and MS-ISAC

00:15:24-Dept of Ed's proposed budget

00:28:07-Writing a GOOD RFP

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Eaton - What does an IT pro do? A children’s book. K12 IT pros like you have been sharing Eaton’s What does an IT pro do? children’s book with their school’s teachers and libraries. Inspire tiny IT pros interest in STEM with Eaton’s first children’s tale where Honey, the badger, teaches her classmates how an IT pro can be like a doctor, a detective, a teacher and so much more! Grab your free copy at https://forms.office.com/r/JPaKdQptjU. 

Fortinet

Prey - They are offering a 15% discount on the first year for customers referred by K12 Tech Talk! Visit https://preyproject.com/.

NTP

ManagedMethods

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Call us at 314-329-0363

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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.

Tune in for an engaging chat about the latest educational AI updates from Microsoft, which include new tools and changes, such as Microsoft co-pilot chat features for students aged 13 and up. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of summer school technology mishaps. The hosts also discuss how to handle students' tech misadventures, exploring the delicate balance between discipline and education, and the importance of communication between educators and tech-savvy students.

k12sysadmin post we talk about

https://dayofai.org/families/day-of-ai-common-sense-media-ai-literacy-toolkit-for-families/ - link Mark mentions

00:00:00-Introduction

00:09:00-AI Updates from Microsoft & Day of AI

00:13:25-Supreme Court Decisions

00:21:20-Dealing with Student Misbehavior

00:30:32-A buggy Smartboard

00:34:50-Conversations with Students

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Eaton - PLAY THE GAME!

Fortinet

Prey - They are offering a 15% discount on the first year for customers referred by K12 Tech Talk! Visit https://preyproject.com/.

NTP

Lightspeed - Check out SIGNAL!!!

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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 and Mark dive into the arrest of the notorious PowerSchool hacker, revealing the unexpected identity of the mastermind behind one of the year's biggest cyber breaches. Join them as they speak with cybersecurity expert Michael Klein, who provides insights into the hacker's profile and discusses the implications for school districts and policymakers moving forward.

The discussion doesn't stop there. The hosts also examine two contrasting approaches to school security: one from a Texas startup using drones equipped with pepper spray and flashbangs, and another from Virginia employing AI for weapons detection. The episode explores the effectiveness and potential consequences of these tech-driven safety solutions.

00:00:00-Intro

00:04:37-PowerSchool Hacker Arrest Details

00:12:57-AI Weapons Detection?

00:17:45-KILLER DRONES!!!!

00:26:30-Interview with Michael Klein

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Eaton - Meet the new Eaton 9PX G2 UPS

Managed Methods - 30 Day Trial

CTL - Check out the CTL Chromebook Plus 141GXT on K12TechPro with Hayden's Hot Deal for May

Fortinet

Prey - They are offering a 15% discount on the first year for customers referred by K12 Tech Talk! Visit https://preyproject.com/.

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Email us at [email protected]

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.

In this week's episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, join the team as they delve into two states moving closer to banning cell phones in schools, exploring how such bans are enforced at the state level. The discussion also covers Congress's recent changes to the E-Rate program, analyzing the implications these changes have on school funding and internet accessibility.

Additionally, the hosts talk about summer device collections, including the processes involved and the challenges faced. Tune in to hear about a significant lawsuit against PowerSchool by Memphis Shelby Public Schools, and the impact of TikTok trends on school technology.

Memphis. vs PowerSchool Lawsuit

Congress vs. Wifi Hotspots in E-Rate

End of Student Privacy Pledge

Missouri vs. Maine Cell Phone Laws

00:00:08-Intro

00:03:25-MSPS vs. PowerSchool

00:10:39-Student Privacy Changes

00:12:04-Maine & Missouri Cell Phone Bans

0027:35-Chromebook Collection Strategies

00:43:52-TikTok Trends

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NTP

Fortinet

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Email us at [email protected]

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.

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

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PowerGistics

PowerGistics Buddy Photo

Fortinet

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Email us at [email protected]

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 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:

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PowerGistics

Fortinet

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Email us at [email protected]

OR [email protected]

Call us at 314-329-0363

Join the K12TechPro Community

Buy some swag

X @k12techtalkpod

Facebook

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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 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

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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 [email protected]

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.

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

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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 [email protected]

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.

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:

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

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Lumu

Chromebookparts.com

PowerGistics

Classlink

Fortinet

Extreme Networks

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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, 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

00:24:08-Evaluating Third-Party Vendors

00:34:45-Future Security Measures and Improvements

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

Email us at [email protected]

OR [email protected]

Call us at 314-329-0363

Join the K12TechPro Community

Buy some swag

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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.