Join Michael Klein, former Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity at the US Department of Education and current Senior Director at the Institute for Security and Technology, for a focused discussion on how AI and cybersecurity risk are combining to transform the landscape in K–12 for school districts and the vendors they rely on. Michael brings deep experience in executive leadership, digital innovation, change management, and translating complex ideas for senior leaders to this timely conversation.

You’ll also hear front-line perspectives from two district technology leaders:

Chris Bailey, Director of Technology, Edmunds School District (WA)
Chris Rowbotham, Director of Technology, Siuslaw School District (OR)

These district leaders will share real-world insights on policy, preparedness, and safeguarding school systems as AI capabilities evolve.

Topics Include

• How AI is shifting cybersecurity risks and opportunities
• Practical safeguards and district readiness strategies
• Lessons learned from leaders navigating AI-driven change

A timely session for anyone responsible for keeping school communities safe, secure, and prepared for what’s next.

Assets

AI and Cybersecurity: What District Leaders Need to Know Webinar on YouTube

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this webinar, we share real K–12 success stories that demonstrate purposeful and balanced EdTech use.

Hear from district leaders and educators who have implemented tools and strategies that boosted student outcomes, supported teacher workload, and created healthier digital learning environments.

You’ll Learn

• How districts apply CoSN’s screen-time and digital-wellbeing recommendations
• Examples of high-impact tech use that increases engagement, not passive screen time
• Strategies that improve access, reduce workload, and strengthen instruction
• Replicable leadership practices that make EdTech both effective and sustainable

Join us for a fast, practical look at what successful and healthy EdTech integration really looks like in K–12.

Hosts:

David Jarboe and Laura Geringer

Speakers

1. Stacy Hawthorne, EdD, CETL

   CoSN Board Chair

2. Melissa McCalla, Ed.D, CETL

   Pasadena ISD

3. Cary Fulgham

   Lubbock ISD

4. Micah Miner, CETL

   Beach Park Community Consolidated School District 3

5. Theresa McSweeney

   Boise School District

6. Katie Harmon

   Westhill CSD, NY

7. Johannah Arndt

   District 279 Osseo Area Schools

8. Samantha Reid

   Jenks Public Schools

9. Nick Stoyas

   Elmhurst School District #205

Resources

• Presentation slides

• 2025 Blaschke Report & Toolkit

• Purposeful EdTech That Works — Reclaiming the EdTech Narrative Webinar Recording & Podcast
• Webinar Video
• Screens in Balance: Learning, AI, and Classroom Focus [CoSN member brief]
• Invitation to DK12i Summit

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping what accessibility can look like in K–12 schools. In this episode, we explore how generative AI is expanding opportunities for students with disabilities while also introducing new risks around bias, privacy, and equitable access.

Drawing on insights from the 2024 Blaschke Report and district examples from across the country, the conversation focuses on how education leaders can adopt AI responsibly—keeping Universal Design, human expertise, and student protection at the center.

What You’ll Learn

• How generative AI can support accessibility through reading-level adjustments, visual supports, translation, and assistive communication

• Real district use cases, including AI-enhanced AAC tools, customized worksheet creation, and accessible math design

• Why accessibility gaps often stem from platform design, training shortages, and the broader digital access divide

• The limits of AI in special education and why IEP decisions must remain human-led

• Practical governance models districts can use to match AI tools with capacity and risk tolerance

• What the updated ADA Title II requirements mean for digital resources by 2026–2027

Key Takeaway
AI can be a powerful force for inclusion—but only when implemented with strong privacy protections, accessibility-first design, and educator expertise guiding every decision. Thoughtful leadership today will determine whether AI narrows or widens opportunity gaps for students with disabilities.

To learn more, visit cosn.org to access the full Blaschke Report and additional guidance on accessible, responsible AI adoption.

Resource:

2024 Blaschke Report:
AI and Accessibility in Education

This report explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance educational accessibility and support for students, particularly those with disabilities. As AI technologies like Generative AI (GenAI) and assistive tools become increasingly prevalent in educational settings, it is crucial to understand both their benefits and limitations.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.

Discover scalable cybersecurity solutions tailored for school districts of any size in our engaging panel discussion.

The session kicks off with a 15-minute introduction to simple, impactful strategies that can immediately enhance your district’s security posture.

Following the presentation, our panel of experts will delve into these solutions, offering insights on how they can be effectively implemented in various educational environments. Whether you’re from a small rural school or a large urban district, this discussion will provide you with the knowledge and tools to quickly and efficiently improve your cybersecurity defenses.

Join us for a conversation that promises practical advice and forward-thinking approaches to keeping your district safe.

Key Take Aways:

• Scalable Cybersecurity Solutions
• Solutions for all size school districts.
• Improve your cybersecurity defenses.

Presenters:

William R. Brackett (he/him/his)
Director of IT Services
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
Oak Park, Illinois

Michael Arensdorff, MA (he/him/his)
Chief Technology Officer
Oak Park Elementary School District 97
Oak Park, Illinois

Quick Wins in Cybersecurity - Presentation Notes

Quick Wins Cybersecurity Session - Slide Deck

Watch the webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PVU7P9NBYo

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!

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

How do you empower and equip your educators with AI literacy, especially when they have various levels of knowledge, experience, and attitude?

Join our session to explore a research-based approach for designing professional learning that supports the growth of all of your adult learners. We’ll examine the stages of adoption from awareness and interest, evaluation and trial, to adoption and advocacy. Key questions and coaching supports to help your educators move from passive consumers to more active creators will be explored. We will share our experiences in delivering PD to build AI literacy and provide guidance for participants interested in implementing this framework in their own school or district.

Key Take Aways:

• A clear understanding of the five stages of technology adoption: awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption.
• Questions, coaching strategies, and resources to support staff at each stage of AI literacy adoption, meeting them where they are.
• Practical insights on designing and delivering effective professional development around AI literacy and innovation

Presenters:
Emma Braaten
Director of Digital Learning
The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
Raleigh, North Carolina

Jaclyn B. Stevens
Interim Director, Senior Research Scholar
William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation | NCSU
Raleigh, North Carolina

Watch the webinar:

CoSN Developing AI Innovation through the Stages of Adoption

William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

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!

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

Protecting student data privacy is a complex undertaking, but you don't have to go it alone. Learn actionable insights you can use in your own privacy work, all in 30 minutes or less.

This is a webinar on the building a technology privacy vetting program as part of the CoSN Privacy Awareness efforts and Trust Learning Environment.

Moderator:

Linnette Attai

Project Director for CoSN’s Student Data Privacy Initiative and Trusted Learning Environment Program.

Guests:

Laurie Boedicker

Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Highland Local Schools (OH)

Leann Kidd

Executive Director, Technology Services at Northside ISD (TX)

Kate Masterson

Assistant Director of Digital Security & Privacy at Carmel Clay Schools (IN)

Mike Van Vuren

Deputy superintendents at Bozeman School District (MT)

Helpful Links:

Privacy Practices in Action – Building a Technology Privacy and Security Vetting Program Webinar

⁠⁠Trusted Learning Environment Seal (TLE Seal)⁠⁠

⁠⁠Building a Trusted Learning Environment: Understanding the Leadership Practice ⁠⁠

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode of the CoSN Podcast is sponsored by Infosys.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in K–12 education—it is already transforming classrooms, district operations, and leadership decision-making. In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, host Stephen Gilfus, a technology and education industry leader and industry advisor in IT, cybersecurity, AI, and education, leads a timely discussion on how AI is moving from experimentation to meaningful impact. Stephen is joined by Dr. Tom Ryan, Co-Founder of the K–12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group and former CoSN Board Chair, and Narayan Nandigam (Nandi), Vice President and Global Head of Services and Education at Infosys. Together, they explore what makes this moment in AI fundamentally different from past technology waves—and what education leaders should prioritize as adoption accelerates.

Key Takeaways

AI is a productivity accelerator, not just another edtech tool

Educators are already using AI to save time on lesson planning, assessments, and operational tasks—freeing them to focus more deeply on instruction, relationships, and student engagement.

Leadership and values must guide AI adoption

AI initiatives are most effective when they align with district values, instructional goals, and operational priorities—not when they are deployed simply because the technology exists.

Responsible AI requires governance, training, and human oversight

Transparency, equity-first design, data privacy protections, and continuous professional learning are essential to ensure AI enhances critical thinking and learner agency rather than replacing them.

Why It Matters

As AI adoption accelerates across education systems worldwide, this conversation offers practical, grounded guidance for K–12 leaders navigating innovation, ethics, and impact—helping districts move from experimentation to intentional, responsible use.

Moderator
Stephen Gilfus

A technology and education industry leader, a board member, and industry advisor to multiple for-profit and nonprofit organizations focused on IT, cybersecurity, AI, and education, including ISACA, a global professional organization. Stephen started his career as a founder of Blackboard Inc.

Guests

Narayan Nandigam (Nandi)

Vice President and Global Head of Services and Education at Infosys. Narayan leads business services, professional services, and education initiatives, driving innovation and operational excellence across global client engagements. He has played a key role in shaping Infosys’ integrated experience solutions for the education and real estate sectors.

Dr. Tom Ryan

Co-Founder of the K–12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group, longtime CIO, former CoSN Board Chair, and national thought leader on digital transformation in schools. Tom is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for Digital Education.

Additional Resources

Enterprise AI for Education: Success Stories - AI for Education

For more information, contact:  [email protected]

The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)  K-12 Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) Readiness Checklist

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.

Privacy leadership is no longer a “nice-to-have” in K–12 education—it’s an essential foundation for protecting student data, building trust, and ensuring districtwide compliance. In this episode, we break down insights from CoSN’s recent webinar, Privacy Practices in Action: Getting Started with Privacy Leadership, where district leaders shared how they launched and strengthened their privacy programs using the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) framework.

Listeners will learn how two districts—Vance County Schools (NC) and Corpus Christi ISD (TX)—launched, strengthened, and sustained privacy programs grounded in the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) framework.

What You’ll Learn

• Why privacy leadership is essential for districtwide data protection.

• How districts build buy-in from superintendents, board members, principals, and staff.

• Practical tactics like using real incidents, creating clear documentation, and fostering cross-department collaboration.

• Common challenges—such as limited time, outdated practices, or lack of documentation—and how leaders overcome them.

• First steps for getting started, including gap analysis and setting small, achievable goals.

Key Takeaway

Privacy leadership is achievable for every district—large or small. With the right framework, collaboration, and incremental progress, districts can build strong, sustainable privacy programs that protect students and support learning.

Helpful Links:

⁠⁠Student Data Privacy: Privacy Practices in Action - Deep Dive⁠⁠

⁠Webinar⁠

⁠Trusted Learning Environment Seal (TLE Seal)⁠

⁠Building a Trusted Learning Environment: Understanding the Leadership Practice

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.

Protecting student data privacy is a complex undertaking, but you don't have to go it alone. Learn actionable insights you can use in your own privacy work, all in 30 minutes or less.

In this webinar, you'll hear from education technology leaders about how they built privacy leadership in their districts. 

Moderator:

Linnette Attai

Project Director for CoSN’s Student Data Privacy Initiative and Trusted Learning Environment Program.

Guests:

Marsha Abbott

Chief Technology Officer, Vance County Schools in North Carolina

Thomas Molina,

Chief Technology Information Security Officer for Corpus Christi ISD in Texas

Helpful Links:

⁠Student Data Privacy: Privacy Practices in Action - Deep Dive⁠

Webinar

Trusted Learning Environment Seal (TLE Seal)

Building a Trusted Learning Environment: Understanding the Leadership Practice

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

This podcast reviews a recent CoSN webinar, “We Survived a Cyber Incident: From Readiness to Recovery,” and explores how one school district successfully contained and recovered from a live cyberattack.

Episode Summary

In January 2024, an Arizona district faced a real cyber incident when a compromised service account allowed a threat actor into the network. Thanks to a strong Cyber Incident Response Plan, rapid quarantine, and a disciplined communication strategy, the district restored critical systems in under 24 hours with no evidence of data exfiltration.

Key Topics

• How the incident was detected and escalated

• Steps taken to isolate the threat and prevent spread

• Rapid restoration using layered backups

• Clear, controlled communication with leadership and staff

• Post-incident improvements, including MFA expansion and service account cleanup

Why This Matters

The episode highlights actionable lessons on preparedness, planning, and leadership—showing how every district can strengthen cybersecurity before an incident occurs.

Assets

Watch the webinar:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REzmsuKmIkw

Webinar Audio

Webinar Slides

For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.

This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.