Welcome to this week's episode with Chris and Mark (Josh is on vacation!). We give a sneak peek of ISTE and its EdTech index and the five quality indicators that are setting new standards for EdTech vendors. This episode also examines the timely topic of staff transitions over the summer, unpacking the challenges associated with tech handovers, account management, and also the juggling act of summer vacations. A special highlight is the coverage of a recent study on the implementation of a cell ...
Jun 27, 2025•40 min•Ep. 222
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 on Gemini or CoPilot, whether to deploy to all grades, and the ...
Jun 20, 2025•46 min•Ep. 221
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/ -------------------- Eaton - What does an IT pro do? A children’...
Jun 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 220
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 topic this week is the RFP process - the good, the bad, and the ugl...
Jun 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 219
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 communication between educators and tech-savvy students. k12sysadmin post...
May 30, 2025•51 min•Ep. 218
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 contrasting approaches to school security: one from a Texas startup...
May 23, 2025•49 min•Ep. 217
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, including the processes involved and the challenges faced. Tune in ...
May 16, 2025•48 min•Ep. 214
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 in all US schools, highlighting the growing importance of computer...
May 09, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 216
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, cybersecurity, and the pivotal role of collaboration between tech ...
May 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 215
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 AI education into school curriculums. The hosts debate the poten...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 214
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 for handling these situations at a district level while balancing...
Apr 18, 2025•53 min•Ep. 213
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 Technology, the Institute of Education Sciences, grant-making office...
Apr 11, 2025•48 min•Ep. 212
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 to be transparent with affected districts and hear practical adv...
Apr 08, 2025•42 min•Ep. 211
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. Richard Charles 00:23:19-Pete Just 00:30:25-CTL 00:35:20-Jason Eyre 0...
Apr 04, 2025•57 min•Ep. 208
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 Community thinks will be the timeline for us to implement MFA on stu...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 207
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 insight into the recent funding cuts to MS-ISAC, explaining the potenti...
Mar 21, 2025•52 min•Ep. 206
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 announced this week. As a member of the MS-ISAC Executive Committee, ...
Mar 14, 2025•52 min•Ep. 210
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 . -------------------- SaferWatch NTP Classlink Lightspeed Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Joi...
Mar 13, 2025•30 min•Ep. 209
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 case questioning the constitutionality of E-rate itself. The episo...
Feb 28, 2025•44 min•Ep. 203
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 privacy and security, particularly in school environments, and whe...
Feb 21, 2025•49 min•Ep. 208
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 narrative and management of school cyberattacks. Keierleber sheds l...
Feb 14, 2025•57 min•Ep. 207
The 200th episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast was packed with special guests, laughs, and big announcements. Musician Colt Ball kicked things off with a live performance, and David Wren from NTP discussed K12TechPro's cybersecurity deals for schools. Tom Ryan shared insights on AI, while Chris Illingworth from Fortinet talked about security solutions. The K12 Tech Talk and K12TechPro team celebrated milestones, including 1,000 K12TechPro members across 50 states and nine countries. The guys did...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 200
We did this episode for about 45 minutes and realized we didn't hit record. It happens. This is a redo. It's a disaster. Really. Next week is a SPECIAL episode as we hit 200. Get ready for that. We promise next week will be better. In the meanwhile, we discuss: Who pays for Chromebook repairs? What will chip tariffs do to 25-26 purchases? Cybersquaters! Origin stories! FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Info -------------------- 00:00:00-Intro 00:03:58-Tariffs?? 00:11:21-Forti-updates 00:13:33-Domain Squat...
Jan 31, 2025•32 min•Ep. 199
In this lively episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast, a significant portion of the discussion focuses on recent updates regarding the PowerSchool data breach. The hosts shed light on the critical changes necessary for enhancing cybersecurity in school districts, including expanding MFA, moving away from outdated FTP to modern solutions, and embracing a culture of data reduction. They stress the importance of improving school district and vendor practices to mitigate security risks. 00:00:02-Intro...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 206
In this episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast, the team dives into the recent PowerSchool breach. Mark, who was recently featured on Canadian national news (Eh!), shares updates and insights into the breach's technical aspects, along with a breakdown on an article he published on K12TechPro . The discussion also highlights the roles and responsibilities of K12 tech leaders in managing data breaches and emphasizes the importance of transparency and communication with parents, staff, and state agen...
Jan 17, 2025•51 min•Ep. 205
In this episode, we explore humorous/serious use of AI joke writing (PowerSchool jokes), we have a discussion on cell phone bans being implemented across various school districts this new year, touching on one policy that involves fines. The main focus, however, is a captivating story where a teacher was terminated for allegedly sharing her password, leading to students tampering with electronic records and facing charges. We tackle tough questions about accountability: Should a teacher lose the...
Jan 10, 2025•50 min•Ep. 204
This special episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast dissects the recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a major provider of Student Information Systems (SIS) in the United States. Hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the details of the breach that saw PowerSchool send notifications to its customers about the possibility of sensitive data exposure. We discuss the details of the breach that have been released by PowerSchool and discussed by customers on K12TechPro and Reddit (/k12sysadm...
Jan 09, 2025•37 min•Ep. 203
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from Josh, Chris, and Mark! This is a re-release of Episode 31. It is an interview with Denzel. Denzel is the Tech Director at a school that was hit with ransomware. He shares details of the attack, from waking up and realizing over his morning coffee that they had major issues, to the day he realized the "bad guys" posted data they harvested online. His story drives home a few major points including the one we all know... the best prepared dep...
Dec 31, 2024•50 min•Ep. 202
On this episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, we talk about AI misuse in schools, we recap 2024's hot topics, and we spend time discussing our predictions for 2025. Oh, and we talk about Chimp Crazy and Mark's recent interactions with Tonia Haddix on TikTok. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - We're ready for break! https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/guidance-mobile-communications-best-practices.pdf https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/10/character-ai-lawsuit-teen-kil...
Dec 20, 2024•48 min•Ep. 201
This week we take a listener email and dive into managing district assets and how to wrangle the budget. Should schools supply headphones to all students? Should the tech dept have a headphones budget? Should parents pay for broken headphones? Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the tech dept's responsibility with headphones (and other consumables) at length. The guys also talk about software purchases. Should we have a candy man mentality? Plus, the latest on E-Rate funding, school cyber risks, and s...
Dec 13, 2024•48 min•Ep. 200
