K–12 Tech Tactics
Strategies & Insights for Technology Leaders in K-12
10/26/2023
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IT Spotlight

SIIA Releases Guiding Principles for AI in Ed Tech

The Software & Information Industry Association today released a set of guiding principles for artificial intelligence in education technology.

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Ed Tech Research & Trends

80% of Enterprises will Deploy AI Apps or APIs in Production Environments by 2026

3 key technologies will drive generative AI in the enterprise.

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IT Spending to Top $5 Trillion in 2024

IT spending worldwide will grow by 8%, reaching $5.1 trillion in 2024. According to a new report from market research firm Gartner, AI is a contributing factor in that growth, but the impacts of generative AI won't be felt until the following year.

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Annual E-rate Survey Shows Majority of Schools, Libraries Want Cybersecurity Services Added

An overwhelming majority of E-rate applicants want the FCC to include cybersecurity services in the program, according to the 14th annual E-rate Trends Report released today by Funds For Learning.

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Staffing Challenges Still Plague Most Public K–12 Schools

A report released today by the National Center for Education Statistics revealed that the vast majority of public schools in the United States are still facing challenges hiring teachers and staff, though fewer report feeling "understaffed."

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K-12 Technology News

MedCerts Launches CTE Model Allowing Students to Earn Career Skills, Credentials, and College Credits

Stride subsidiary MedCerts, a provider of healthcare and IT training and certification programs, has developed a public school Career and Technical Education model that allows high school students who are not college bound to graduate high school with an industry-recognized credential, career-ready skills — and college credits to boot, should the student opt to attend college later on.

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3D Ed Tech Providers Launch School Bundle on Immersive Math, Science Hardware and Software

IQH3D, maker of glasses-free 3D technology, and immersive instructional platform Saras-3D have announced the North American launch of their cutting-edge 3D learning tools for physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics students grades 9–12 — and a new bundle offer for school districts, the companies said in a news release.

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Anthology to Release AI Assessment Tool for Blackboard Learn Ultra

Anthology today announced it will release a new tool for Blackboard Learn Ultra that allows users to build "authentic assessments" with the help of AI.

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Centegix Debuts Safety Platform Uniting Its Emergency Response Tech Solutions

Incident response technology vendor Centegix has launched a new integrated, cloud-based Safety Platform that unites its various school safety solutions and connects with emergency responder partners, the company said in a news release.

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Fast-Charging Station for Schools Supports up to 20 Devices

PowerGistics, which manufactures device charging stations for schools, has announced its new Flex20 Bolt, a fast USB-C to USB-C charging station that can charge 20 Chromebooks, laptops, tablet devices, and more at once.

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Montana to Implement DreamBox Math, Reading Plus Statewide for Grades 3–8

DreamBox Learning has been selected by the Montana Office of Public Instruction to provide its DreamBox Math and Reading Plus solutions to grades 3–8 statewide, according to a news release.

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Renaissance Intros Tool to Identify Student Challenges and Apply Interventions

Education technology company Renaissance has announced Renaissance Fundamentals, an assessment tool to help educators identify why students are struggling in school, apply interventions, and reassess to determine if the interventions are working.

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Smart Factory Believers Program Looks to Bring STEM Tools to Middle and High Schools

A consortium of companies and organizations is working to foster STEM education in middle schools and high schools serving underrepresented communities under a program called Smart Factory Believers.

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The Center for Model Schools and AASA Partner to Support K–12 Superintendents and School Leaders

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's (HMH) Center for Model Schools (Center) and the School Superintendents Association (AASA) have partnered to help superintendents and other school leaders to improve teaching and learning to advance equity and support their communities.

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Tynker Offers Peek at New LLM-Powered Coding Aid for Students

K–12 game-based coding platform Tynker has developed an AI-powered solution for ages 6–12 called Tynker Copilot that leverages the capabilities of Large Language Models to transform students' ideas into visual block code for apps and games, the company said in a news release.

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New & Upcoming K–12 Grants

Ongoing K–12 Grants

  • Inventionland Grants for K–12 Schools

    Sponsor: Inventionland Education
    Award: Funds for Innovation Labs, professional development, and Innovation curriculum (varies by request)
    Number of Awards: Not specified
    Application Deadline: Ongoing (rolling)
  • NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants

    Sponsor: National Education Association Foundation
    Award: $2,000 or $5,000
    Number of Awards: Not specified
    Application Deadline: Feb. 1, June 1 and Oct. 15 of each year
  • Association of American Educators Foundation Classroom Grant

    Sponsor: Association of American Educators Foundation
    Award: $500
    Number of Awards: Not specified
    Application Deadline: March 1 and October 1 of each year
  • Toshiba STEM Project-Based Learning Grants for Teachers Grades 6–12

    Sponsor: Toshiba America Foundation
    Award: Two categories: Up to $5,000 and Over $5,000 
    Number of Awards: Varies
    Application Deadline: For grants up to $5,000, deadline is March 1, 2023, and every three months thereafter; for grants over $5,000, deadline is May 1, 2023, and Nov. 1, 2023
  • Association of American Educators Foundation Teacher Scholarship

    Sponsor: Association of American Educators Foundation
    Award: $500
    Number of Awards: Not specified
    Application Deadline: March 1 and October 1 of each year
  • Calm Room Grants for Schools

    Sponsor: Cook Center for Human Connection
    Award: $5,000 matching grant
    Number of Awards: 20 for 2022–23 school year
    Application Deadline: Ongoing
  • CDA Funding for Maryland Early Educators

    Sponsor: The Council for Professional Recognition, Maryland State Department of Education, and Maryland Family Network
    Award: $425 initial online assessment fee; $125 renewal online application fee; $33 for the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards book
    Number of Awards: Not specified
    Application Deadline: Ongoing
  • Edthena Innovation Fund

    Sponsor: Edthena
    Award: Varies based on district size; matching grant
    Number of Awards: Not specified
    Application Deadline: Ongoing (monthly reviews on the 30th of each month)
  • Connect For Success Grants

    Sponsor: Mobile Beacon
    Award: Up to 25 laptops with one year of free 4G LTE high-speed internet each
    Number of Awards: Varies
    Application Deadline: Accepted year-round; awards granted on rolling basis
  • Naiku Innovative Teacher Grant

    Deadline: Ongoing (30 total awards in 2021, with applications accepted until Nov. 1)
  • Sony Grants for Education

    Deadline: Ongoing (grants awarded on a rolling basis)

Upcoming K–12 Events

  • Tech Tactics in Education: Data and IT Security in the New Now

    Brought to you by the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal, the 2023 Tech Tactics in Education conference offers hands-on learning, practical tips, and strategic discussions on critical cybersecurity issues and key data infrastructure and practices across K–12 and higher education. Access the latest thinking on current and emerging technology, data, and security trends impacting education institutions, as well as models for implementation, best practices, and strategies for effective technology leadership. If you are a technology leader in K–12 or higher education, data specialist, cybersecurity pro, or other individual charged with technology decision-making on campus, you’ll find valuable information for any experience level, team size, or institution type.
    Nov. 7–9, 2023
    Orlando, Florida

Call for Papers & Proposals

Submit calls for papers/proposals to [email protected].
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Professional Resources

Awards

Drones as a Vehicle for Growing STEM? You Bet!

drone icon, podcast icon, THE Journal logo

THE Journal Insider podcast guest Dan Mantz of the REC Foundation – the host of the world’s largest robotics competitions for K–12 schools – shares how their STEM-focused mission is embracing more kinds of computer science and adding curriculum and competitions for “vertical robotics.” Listen to the podcast.

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Testing 1-2-3: See the Nolej AI Interactive Lesson-Builder in Action

THE Journal tested Nolej AI's new software for teachers that automatically turns uploaded documents, audio, video or a website URL into an editable, interactive lesson package with summaries, glossaries, flashcards, and quizzes. Watch on YouTube or read the full report.

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Tech Tactics is packed with the latest information about networking, databases, hardware, developer tools, data security, wireless, virtualization and cloud computing. Targeted toward K-12 IT professionals at the district and school levels, Tech Tactics also offers up project profiles, case studies, interviews and articles focusing on best practices in information technology. It's published twice monthly. Please direct any questions or comments about THE Tech Tactics to [email protected]

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