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 […]

Experts tout prevention as a crucial part of bolstering school safety efforts

The first of a four-part webinar series on preventing and addressing gun violence in schools hosted by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) on April 10 explored how schools can build foundations and utilize systems to promote school safety and prevent or […]

LEAs play an important role in preventing child trafficking and exploitation

As policymakers work to prevent child exploitation, how can schools play a role in identifying and helping vulnerable students in need of support? There are no perfect answers, according to experts, but there are myriad strategies, tips and tools educators can use — many of […]

Survey results show how students are using social media and devices

Social media use among young people has been linked to everything from mental health struggles to increased ability to find supportive communities, so it’s important that families and educators have an understanding of how students are interacting with social media. The Social Institute — which […]

Federal experts highlight dangers of young people accessing illicit substances online

Growing concerns about the effects of social media on youth mental health have expanded to stemming use of social media among young people to purchase illicit substances. Local educational agencies play a vital role in partnerships addressing this issue. A March 20 webinar hosted by […]