IT Management

Real People – Real Challenges – Real Solutions

Desert Sands Unified School District (CA), is a leader in educational technology, digital equity, and innovation. I had the great opportunity to sit down (virtually) with Kelly May Vollmar Ed.D., the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and CoSN Board Member to chat about her school district's experience in the pandemic and what the school district is working on in EdTech for the next school year.

Q: What are the biggest lessons you learned from transitioning your district to online learning? 

2021 CoSN Back-to-School Survey Reveals Increase in School District Technology Funding

 CoSN today released its 2021 EdTech Trends Survey Report, highlighting that the majority of school district technology leaders reported IT budgets larger than last year, with curriculum software/subscriptions and cybersecurity receiving the most funding.
Tags: 
Data-driven decision making
IT Crisis Prep
IT Management

Looking to Expand your Expertise? Check out CoSN’s Fall Learning Opportunities

As a lifelong learner, I am thrilled to be the newest member of the CoSN team. Our team and its members provide significant support for technology leaders K-12 institutions. In addition, CoSN has a wide variety of membership resources, including nurturing a community of peers for collaboration, vehicles for sharing knowledge, and opportunities for professional development to create and grow quality, equitable learning environments for all students. 
 

Using Leasing to Support your Technology and Budget Strategies

Leasing presents an opportunity for school systems to maintain up-to-date technology equipment and build consistent upgrade and replacement cycles into their technology strategy without significant capital expenses.  
A fixed monthly payment is agreed to for a set time period for devices in a technology lease. Typical leases are 36, 48, and 60 months in duration.  In addition, the equipment company is most often responsible for repairs and replacement of equipment when there is equipment failure, and recovery/disposal of the equipment at the end of the lease term.  

Are you a CTO that's new to the role or know someone who is? Be sure to read this!

In CoSN's newest Podcast, I discussed my experience with the Early Career K-12 CTO Academy. I am a graduate of the 2020-21 Academy cohort. We discussed my experience, including the benefits of being paired with a veteran mentor, the connection and collaboration among cohort members, my Capstone project, and why I'd recommend the program to others in my position. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3jpETHH 

Home Connectivity -- from a Digital Equity Lens

As we set our sights on the 2021-2022 year, many school districts are focusing on how they will carry forward new digital learning environments. Schools rethought traditional school models during the pandemic, and the ability to differentiate and offer ongoing, quality, innovative learning experiences, including the option to learn from home during and outside of the classic school schedule, is essential. In addition, leaders must understand the connectivity issues that many of our students face supporting districts in making decisions that foster an equitable education for all students.

The COVID-19 crisis changed education. Now teachers are rethinking the future of learning.

The 2020 school year was like no other, proving that no matter the challenges and obstacles, teachers will do whatever it takes to engage their students in learning. As the COVID-19 crisis turned kitchen tables and living rooms into classrooms overnight — teachers, students, and families grappled with the challenges of remote learning. In the process, educators learned more about what works and what doesn’t for students. Everything needed to be rethought, as Ridgefield, New Jersey middle school math teacher Jamie Rifkowitz attests.

Rural Virginia School District Awarded National Distinction for Student Data Privacy Practices

CoSN today awarded the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal to Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS). The TLE Seal is a prestigious national distinction that school districts earn for demonstrating a commitment to protecting student data through modern, rigorous policies and practices.
 
A small, rural district in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, RCPS is responsible for managing the privacy of more than 11,600 students. It is the second school system in Virginia to receive the Seal.
Tags: 
Data-driven decision making
Framework of Essential Skills
Instructional Focus
IT Management
Privacy
Small Districts

Pages