National Suicide Prevention Month: CSBA expert shares the effects of bullying and cyberbullying

Research suggests that youth who experience bullying and/or cyberbullying may be more at risk for suicidal thoughts. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Angela Asch, CSBA principal research manager and author of the Safe Schools Toolkit section on bullying and cyberbullying, is sharing relevant insights and resources for local educational agencies in this Q&A.   

CDC survey on youth risk behaviors shows increase in teens experiencing violence

A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention summarizes results from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and compares it to data from the last decade on topics including mental health, substance use, sexual behavior and experiences with violence, as well as new and emerging issues like social media use and housing instability.

Guidance calls for ‘shared responsibility’ among LEAs and edtech providers in developing AI tools

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Technology published guidance for developers of artificial intelligence (AI) for educational settings in July outlining ways in which edtech providers can build trust with local educational agencies as they integrate AI into products and platforms. The guidance […]

LEAs must outline instructional continuity strategies in safety plans starting next year

California school districts and county offices of education are required by July 1, 2025, to establish continuity plans to ensure students are provided instruction when natural disasters or other states of emergencies make in-person classes impossible. 

U.S. Surgeon General declares firearm violence a public health crisis

For the first time in the nation’s history, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory declaring firearm violence a public health crisis. The advisory outlines the urgent threat firearm violence poses to the health and well-being of Americans. The Surgeon General’s advisory lays […]

Cybersecurity is still a top concern for edtech leaders, survey finds

The Consortium for School Networking’s (CoSN) recent report, 2024 State of Edtech District Leadership, covers survey results from industry professionals on topics including education technology (edtech) priorities and challenges, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, student well-being, digital equity, staffing and more.

New federal initiative aims to bolster edtech cybersecurity

The Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) and the U.S. Department of Education announced on May 2 the Partnership for Advancing Cybersecurity in Education (PACE) — an initiative to improve the defensibility and resilience of K-12 digital infrastructure by fostering collaboration between education technology vendors and […]

Resources and strategies to support LEAs after incidents of school violence

Experts provided trauma-informed recovery strategies and resources for rebuilding a safe and supportive school climate following an incident of school violence during a May 22 webinar from the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments. U.S Department of Education Policy Advisor Kayla Patrick noted that […]