K-12 Technology News
Here you'll find the latest news from the education technology world, from the newest hardware and software releases to policy and funding updates to research reports to school and district tech initiatives. Looking for more in-depth coverage of important topics? Be sure to visit our Features page.
The parents of two California children are suing Securly, accusing the online-activity surveillance provider of violating California wiretapping and data privacy laws and of violating the federal Video Privacy Protection Act by collecting protected private information without consent and selling it to third-party advertisers.
- By Kristal Kuykendall
- 07/20/23
Blackboard Learn Ultra is gaining new AI capabilities, as well as a host of other new features. The AI features will be rolled into production in September, with testing for Blackboard Learn Ultra clients in August.
Microsoft has introduced Visual Studio Code for Education, a new computer science instruction platform that takes students beyond beginner coding and teaches them tools used by professional developers. Microsoft is inviting educators to join the pilot program, try it out in their classrooms in the 2023–24 school year, and provide feedback.
- By Kate Lucariello
- 07/17/23
Parent Assist Link Solutions has unveiled its new software to assist parents, educators, and providers with early childhood (0-5 years) intervention information and tracking. The software is driven by AI and machine learning digital bots that can work on devices such as Amazon Echo and Apple Watch.
- By Kate Lucariello
- 07/17/23
A recent study conducted by University of California Irvine School of Education associate professor Jade Jenkins, along with other researchers, showed marked positive outcomes for Black and Hispanic disadvantaged children in the fifth grade who had attended pre-K programs. The study has implications for states such as California providing funding for free pre-K attendance.
- By Kate Lucariello
- 07/17/23
The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) has announced the GM New Teachers Academy, an initiative to train over 1,300 Black, Latinx, and Indigenous first-year STEM teachers of grades 3 through 12.
- By Kate Lucariello
- 07/17/23
Cloud-based K–12 software provider PowerSchool has signed an agreement to acquire SchoolMessenger from its parent company, West Technology Group, for $300 million and plans to integrate SchoolMessenger’s features with the PowerSchool Student Information Cloud platform, according to a news release.
- By Kristal Kuykendall
- 07/12/23
D2L has partnered with Copyleaks to bring AI-based plagiarism detection integration to its D2L Brightspace platform.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel formally announced a proposal that would create a $200 million, three-year pilot program to help pay for data and information security services in K–12 schools and in libraries.
Specialized Education Services, Inc. has acquired Lattice Educational Services, a California Department of Education nonpublic school program in Sonoma County providing individualized learning opportunities and resources to students with developmental disabilities, according to a news release.
- By Kristal Kuykendall
- 07/12/23