K12 Tech Talk

Episode 211 - Curriculum Opt-Outs and Trump's K-12 AI Plan

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 potential benefits and concerns raised by the educational community regarding the implementation and funding of such initiatives.
00:00:00-Intro
00:03:21-Curriculum Opt-Outs: A Legal Battle
00:14:23-Updates on COPPA Regulations
00:21:24-Classroom Technology: Future Considerations
00:36:48-Trump’s AI Executive Order Discussion
00:59:16-Interview with Lightspeed Systems
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PowerGistics
Lumu - On-demand Training on K-12 Is Now Considered Critical Cybersecurity Infrastructure: How to Defend Accordingly
ClassLink
VIZOR
Fortinet
Prey
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Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
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Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 210 - Tariffs, Special Requests, and Food!

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 the needs of staff and budgetary constraints.
Additionally, the episode features a discussion about a significant lawsuit against Google, where parents accuse the tech giant of tracking students. We analyze the implications of this lawsuit for schools, data privacy, and the responsibilities of districts in safeguarding student information.
End User on k12sysadmin
 
00:00:00-Intro
00:01:35-New Security Watch Newsletter
00:04:04-Google Lawsuit Overview
00:08:47-Tariffs and Electronics Update
00:15:54-Food in Schools
00:23:43-Teacher Requests for Technology
00:48:20-Events and Conferences Announcement
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NTP
ClassLink
Lightspeed (Learn about Signal!)
PowerGistics (Get Hayden's Hot Deal on K12TechPro!)
-Charging Station Goals
-Needs Assessment Survey Example for Students
-Needs Assessment Survey Example for Teachers
-Goal Resource for IT/Administrators
Fortinet
ManagedMethods
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Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
Buy some swag
X @k12techtalkpod
Facebook
Visit our LinkedIn
Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 209 - Dept of Ed Closure & K12 Technology

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 offices, the Student Privacy Policy Office, and the Office for Civil Rights. The episode discusses how the closure could affect national policy, research funding, student privacy, and digital equity in schools.
News Articles:
UC Irvine releases study on AI usage amongst teens.
4 things to know about Trump cuts to K-12 cybersecurity
Linda McMahon thinks that A1 steak sauce is being taught in schools
00:00:00-Intro
00:07:10-News
00:11:40-A1 Steak Sauce???
00:18:31-Job Titles
00:26:04-Impact of the DoE Closure on K12 Tech
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Lumu
Chromebookparts.com
PowerGistics
Classlink
Fortinet
Extreme Networks
--------------------
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
Buy some swag
X @k12techtalkpod
Facebook
Visit our LinkedIn
Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Special Episode: PowerSchool CISO, Mishka McCowan

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 advice on vendor assessments and the importance of internal security measures to minimize future threats. Reflecting on the lessons learned, Mishka discusses the steps PowerSchool has taken to bolster its security infrastructure and maintain an open communication channel with its clients.
00:00:00-Introduction to the Incident00:08:21-Timeline Overview and Communication Strategy
00:24:08-Evaluating Third-Party Vendors
00:34:45-Future Security Measures and Improvements
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Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
Buy some swag
X @k12techtalkpod
Facebook
Visit our LinkedIn
Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 208 - Live from CoSN 2025!

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-Introduction00:02:00-Edward McKaveney00:09:15-Adam Garry00:15:04-Dr. Richard Charles00:23:19-Pete Just00:30:25-CTL00:35:20-Jason Eyre00:43:05-Lightspeed00:45:16-Keith Krueger
CoSN AI Readiness
Lightspeed Signal
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A special thanks to our sponsors...
NTP, Lightspeed, ClassLink, VIZOR, Fortinet, PowerGistics
--------------------
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
Buy some swag
X @k12techtalkpod
Facebook
Visit our LinkedIn
Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 207 - The Supreme Court Discusses E-Rate!

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 student accounts. Spoiler alert - it will take a while.
The episode concludes with an interview with VIZOR.
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00:00:00-Intro
00:05:46-Student MFA?
00:13:20-E-Rate in the Supreme Court
00:45:45-Interview with VIZOR
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Classlink
Managed Methods
Fortinet
Extreme Networks
VIZOR
--------------------
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
Buy some swag
X @k12techtalkpod
Facebook
Visit our LinkedIn
Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 206 - Terry Loftus, San Diego CIO & MS-ISAC Board Chair

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 potential impacts on education technology and the broader context of these changes.
Additionally, the guys address the latest news on tech tariffs, examining how these tariffs are beginning to affect K-12 district budgets and procurement processes via K12TechPro survey.
00:00:00-Intro
00:03:25-Pennsylvania Data Breach
00:09:20-Tariff Survey Results
00:17:11-Interview with Terry Loftus
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NTP
CTL
Classlink
Lightspeed
Fortinet
--------------------
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
Buy some swag
X @k12techtalkpod
Facebook
Visit our LinkedIn
Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 205 - Death by Fax, and Cuts to MS-ISAC Funding

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, Josh shares insights on the repercussions these cuts could have on cybersecurity measures and services provided to schools.
The hosts also explore the broader impact of tariffs on technology purchases, from student devices to school infrastructure, and discuss alternative strategies that schools may need to adopt. They consider the potential domino effects on construction, transportation, and food services within schools due to tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.
Throughout the episode, there's also a segment about the enduring presence of fax machines in schools, reflecting on how some traditional technologies remain integral despite advancements.
MS-ISAC Cybersecurity Report
https://learn.cisecurity.org/2025-k12-cybersecurity-report-download
 
PowerSchool Summary Report
https://www.powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/
 
MS-ISAC Loses Federal Support
https://statescoop.com/ms-isac-loses-federal-support/
 
00:00:00-Introduction
00:00:32-Post-Security Symposium Reflections
00:05:17-MS-ISAC Cybersecurity Report Overview
00:10:16-Tariffs Impacting K-12 Technology
00:25:15-We still use fax machines???
00:32:30-Understanding Recent MS-ISAC Funding Cuts
 
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Classlink
Managed Methods
VIZOR
Extreme Networks
Fortinet
--------------------
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com
Call us at 314-329-0363
Join the K12TechPro Community
Buy some swag
X @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn
Music by Colt Ball
Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.