K12 Tech Talk

K12 Tech Talk

A K12TechPro Podcast. This podcast is about trending K12 technology topics and issues. Josh, Chris, and Mark have real conversations, real arguments, and real banter on IT issues and trends in K12 Schools. Current and Past Sponsors: Absolute, HPE Aruba Networking, Blocksi, ClassLink, CTL, Eaton, Extreme Networks, Fortinet, Howard Technology Solutions, iDoc, Infoblox, INVZBL, Jupiter Education, K12TechPro, Luma Technologies, Managed Methods, MidwestTechTalk, NTP, Papercut, Provision Data Solutions, Pondurance, PowerGistics, Prey, Rise Vision, Ruckus/Commscope, SaferWatch, Scale Computing, SHI, StatusGator, SomethingCool.com, Tripp Lite, Verkada, VIZOR

Episodes

June 19, 2025 46 mins

Join Josh, Chris, and Mark for Episode 219! We dive into the latest news, including the State of Maine's Yubikey deployment, the reintroduction of KOSA, and Google's Gemini and NotebookLM now available for K12. Plus, we'll cover the ongoing E-rate decision.

Our main topic for this episode: How are you deploying AI in your district now that major LLMs are available for K12? We'll discuss what districts should consider before turning...

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On this week's episode, Chris and Josh discuss guest WiFi, in particular whether or not to offer it to students during the school day, new employees (training, accounts, and more), and tech dept vacation days.

https://www.the74million.org/article/school-districts-unaware-boarddocs-software-published-their-private-files/

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/critical-fortinet-flaws-now-exploited-in-qilin-ransomware-attacks/

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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 to...

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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 communic...

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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 co...

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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, in...

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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 i...

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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, c...

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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...

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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 ...

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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 Tec...

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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...

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April 3, 2025 56 mins

We travel to the Emerald City this week to hang out with the great folks at CoSN! This podcast episode, recorded live at the CoSN conference in Seattle, offers interviews with participants, organizers, and presenters. Topics centered around the human aspect of AI, cybersecurity, and some amazing innovations from school districts around the county!

00:00:00-Introduction 00:02:00-Edward McKaveney 00:09:15-Adam Garry 00:15:04-Dr. Rich...

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The big court case has finally arrived! We break down the oral arguments that were presented this week to the Supreme Court that will ultimately determine the fate of E-Rate. Will we see this essential program carry on or will the lower court's ruling strike down this key program? We discuss the arguments for and against with clips from the hearing this week.

We also discuss the potential for student MFA and what the K12TechPro Com...

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In this week's episode, Chris and Mark delve into a recent massive data breach that has had significant repercussions for hundreds of thousands of educators in Pennsylvania. They explore the startling details of the breach, discussing its implications and the timeline of the response.

The episode features an interview with Terry Loftus, the CIO of San Diego County and chair of the MS-ISAC Executive Committee. Loftus provides insigh...

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In this episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark delve into the recent challenges facing K-12 technology in light of new tariffs and significant budget cuts. They discuss the potential impact of these economic and political changes on school services, with a specific focus on the technology and cybersecurity landscapes.

A key highlight of this episode is an in-depth analysis of the MS-ISAC funding cuts anno...

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Join Chris and Mark as they hit the highlights of the recently concluded MidwestTechTalk Security Symposium. The conference tackled crucial topics surrounding incident response planning and cybersecurity preparedness in K-12 schools.

Then, the show wraps up with insights from an informative interview with SaferWatch.

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SaferWatch

NTP

Classlink

Lightspeed

Fortinet

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Email us at k12techtalk@gmail...

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Tune in to hear insights on how some states are ramping up cell phone bans in schools and the implications this has for students and staff alike, including the extension to smartwatches, beepers, and pagers!

The guys also delve into a pivotal Supreme Court case regarding the E-rate program, unpacking the ramifications of the recent ruling that classifies E-rate as federal dollars. Consider how this may influence the next critical c...

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In this week's episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, the team dives into some pressing issues. We start with a discussion on how tariffs might affect project pricing for the coming year, exploring potential impacts on schools' budgets and strategies they might employ to mitigate these effects.

The conversation then shifts to Google's new Chrome security feature powered by AI. We debate the implications of this feature in terms of p...

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Join us in episode 201, as we dive into the intricate world of cybersecurity breach coaches. We start with a deep analysis of the latest cybersecurity reports from Clever and CoSN, highlighting critical vulnerabilities and the evolving landscape of K12 cybersecurity challenges.

In an exclusive interview, journalist Mark Keierleber from The 74 explores the clandestine operations of "breach coaches"—the hired guns who control the nar...

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