SETDA

?? Exciting News from NCADEMI! ?? National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction (NCADEMI) is thrilled to announce a no-cost webinar series designed to help education leaders navigate the updated digital accessibility requirements for PreK-12. ?? Title: Act Now – Understanding New PreK-12 Digital Accessibility Requirements ?? Date: December 3, 2024 ? Time: 2:00–2:45 PM ET The Department of Justice recently announced new requirements that will fundamentally change how PreK-12 schools, districts, and state education agencies provide digital educational materials. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) now requires all web content and mobile apps used in public schools to meet specific accessibility standards. Join this webinar to learn about the new ADA requirements, the timeline for compliance, and actions you can take now. Come to a coaching session later in the week for help on getting started. ?? Can’t join live? No worries—each session will be recorded and openly licensed for on-demand access and reuse. ?? Register today: https://lnkd.in/gJxNfSTM #SETDA #EdTech

?? New Resource Alert for Education Leaders! ?? The National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction (NCADEMI) has published a comprehensive guide to help State and Local Educational Agencies meet the new ADA Title II web and mobile accessibility requirements. ?? “Meeting the ADA Title II Web and Mobile Accessibility Requirements: A Roadmap for State and Local Educational Agencies” provides: ?? A tiered roadmap to prioritize compliance activities ?? Guidance on digital accessibility policies, training, and procurement ?? Tips for creating sustainable, long-term accessibility programs Key deadlines: ? April 2026 for agencies serving over 50,000 ? April 2027 for smaller agencies This resource is a must-read for administrators, tech leaders, and educators committed to equitable access. Let’s make accessibility the standard for all. ?? Access the roadmap and start planning today: https://lnkd.in/g4rkHdxr #SETDA #EdTech

?? Big News Alert! I teamed up with my colleague Ji Soo Song to publish a memorandum with the Federation of American Scientists! ???? Our Day One Project memo, “Reimagining the Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2) Program,” dives into how State Education Agencies (SEAs) can modernize K-12 edtech policy and practice to meet the evolving needs of school districts. A reimagined E2T2 program has the potential to bridge the digital use, design, and access divides identified in the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP), ensuring equitable, tech-enabled learning for all students. ?? Excerpt: “As innovative tools like generative AI enter educational environments, there is an increasing need to support states and districts with guidance and professional learning. While half of students aged 14-22 report using generative AI, 70% of educators have yet to receive training on its responsible and effective use.” A modernized E2T2 program represents a critical opportunity to address pressing challenges in K-12 education and prepare students for a tech-driven future. With ESEA reauthorization on the horizon and a need for policy solutions to harness emerging technologies like AI, SEA support in closing the three digital divides could transform educational quality and equity nationwide. ????? Read the full memo here: https://lnkd.in/gfziJZRx #SETDA #EdTech

?? Congratulations Mary Reynolds! ?? ?? We are thrilled to honor Mary Reynolds, Education Group Chief Information Officer at the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), as the recipient of the 2024 SETDA State Policymaker of the Year Award. Although Mary couldn’t be with us in person, she graciously accepted the award virtually at the 2024 Leadership Summit in Arlington, VA. ?? Mary’s impact on educational technology in Illinois has been nothing short of transformative. Under her leadership at DoIT, she has overseen secure, statewide IT infrastructure, including the Illinois Century Network (ICN), which supports approximately 60% of Illinois schools. Her advocacy for innovative STEAM initiatives and digital equity has empowered countless student outcomes across the state. ???? ?? Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g-Nat756 #SETDA #EdTech

?? Congratulations Angela Thi Bennett! ?? ?? We are thrilled to recognize Angela Thi Bennett, Director of Digital Equity at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) as the recipient of the 2024 SETDA Federal Policymaker of the Year Award. While Angela couldn’t be with us in person, she graciously accepted the award virtually at our recent 2024 Leadership Summit in Arlington, VA. ?? Angela’s work in launching the Digital Equity Act programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been truly transformative. She has been a tireless advocate for ensuring that states prioritize the needs of students and families, embedding these priorities into funding requirements. Through her leadership, she’s strengthened connections between NTIA and the education sector, championing digital learning opportunities for all. ???Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g-2Mvm2k #SETDA #EdTech

?? Congrats to the 2024 SETDA State Achievement Award Recipients! ?? ?? These awards were given at our recent 2024 Leadership Summit in Arlington, VA and they highlight innovative projects that are transforming education across the nation. This year’s honorees are leading the way in digital content, AI-powered learning, and professional development: ?? Digital Content: The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education was recognized for their EdTech Strategic Planning Guide and Edtech Peer Learning Cohort (PLC). These resources empower district leaders with tools to enhance edtech infrastructure, impacting diverse schools statewide. ?? Digital Learning: The Indiana Department of Education was recognized for their AI-Powered Platform Pilot Grant, which is extending AI-driven tutoring and game-based learning to over 45,000 students and 2,500 educators. This initiative makes Indiana a trailblazer in AI funding for classrooms! ?? Professional Learning: NYSCATE (New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education) was honored for their Online Professional Development for ALL Teachers in NYS initiative. With over 120,000 hours of PD focused on digital fluency, especially in high-need districts, this program is driving impactful change. ?? Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g8jn98kZ #SETDA #EdTech

?? Congratulations Jose Gonzalez! ?? ?? We are thrilled to share that Jose Gonzalez, Chief Technology Officer for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), has been named the recipient of the 2024 Candice Dodson Influencer Award at last week's SETDA Leadership Summit! The Candice Dodson Influencer Award honors leaders who carry forward Dodson’s legacy of dedication, influence, and personal contributions to the educational technology field. Since taking on his role at LACOE, José has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to expanding equitable access to technology. His leadership in digital literacy, infrastructure enhancement, and community collaboration ensures that students, educators, and families across Los Angeles County have access to the resources they need to succeed. ???? By embodying the spirit of this award, José carries Candice Dodson’s legacy forward, championing equity, innovation, and transformative change in education. His work stands as a powerful testament to the impact of collaborative, tech-enabled learning environments. ?? Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g-qVxvj7 #SETDA #EdTech

?? Congratulations Lisa Helme! ?? ?? We are thrilled to share that Lisa Helme, Assistant Director of the Student Pathways Division at the Vermont Agency of Education, has been given the 2024 State Leader of the Year (SLY) Award at last week's SETDA Leadership Summit! Since joining SETDA in 2021, Lisa has been a driving force in the educational technology space. Her tireless advocacy for cybersecurity and digital literacy, coupled with her support for Vermont’s State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, has made a lasting impact on the state’s education system. Lisa’s collaborative spirit and ability to unite educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders reflect her commitment to advancing secure, innovative technology use in schools. ???? ?? Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gX_raN7r #SETDA #EdTech

??? Day 3 of SETDA’s 2024 Leadership Summit: ??Ed Forum ??Our mini event within an event, SETDA’s Ed Forum brought together attendees for an impactful day focused on the future of edtech. ?We kicked off with the 2024 State EdTech Trends Survey and Report Overview, where leaders like Evo Popoff from Whiteboard Advisors, Calypso Gilstrap from Virginia Department of Education Isabella Zachariah (Hernandez) from U.S. Department of Education, Keith Krueger from Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), and Bre Urness-Straight, M.Ed. from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction shared invaluable insights. ?Later, Kelli Suding, M.Ed. and Lindsay Jones from CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) led a dynamic discussion on closing the digital divide, empowering attendees to build stronger networks of support for digital access. ?Bruce Mehlman of Mehlman Consulting led a talk on Elections Outlook & Policy Updates, which wrapped up the forum with an eye-opening look at policy trends affecting our field with the preisdential election right around the corner. ??Thank you to everyone who made this event so enriching and special thanks to our session sponsor Headstream Innovation by SecondMuse. #SETDA #EdTech

??? Day 3 of SETDA’s 2024 Leadership Summit: Panel Discussion on Student Privacy ? ?? This discussion brought together the insights on the complexities and challenges of safeguarding student data privacy across districts. Here are some key takeaways: ? The importance of assessing how districts are currently managing student data privacy. ? The difficulties in identifying and providing the right resources to strengthen privacy practices. ? The role of CoSN’s new partnership program in offering targeted support to districts, helping to ensure student data protection at all levels. ??Thank you to?Jill Darrough at North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Brad Hagg at Indiana Department of Education, Tim McIlvain at Learning Technology Center, and Linnette Attai at Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) for making this panel discussion possible! #SETDA #EdTech