During the 2020-21 school year, remote learning will likely be used in some form in most school districts. To make it work, schools need to have smart strategies for hybrid instruction (a combination of in-person and virtual learning), better approaches for increasing student engagement with online learning tools, effective plans for pivoting back to full-time remote learning if necessary, and ongoing training to help teachers improve their re...

We are happy to announce that we are going fully virtual this year! Southern Oregon is bringing back our premier “Teacher to Teacher” instructional technology integration training event: the annual Southern Oregon EDTech Summit, now in its 9th year, on August 11th 2020. This event will feature teachers sharing their knowledge and skills for integrating technical tools for teaching and learning. Come join us for a variety of engagin...

To strive toward racial equity in schools, district leaders and educators are doing the important and challenging work of examining both structural racism and unconscious bias. In this conversation with district leaders from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (N.C.) and Metropolitan School District Lawrence Township (Ind.), we’ll discuss how district leaders are centering equity in their social-emotional learning initiatives for students...

Learn best practices for implementing effective whistle-blower protection policies and avoiding pitfalls when handling whistle-blowing complaints. When an employee complaint is whistle-blowing it is not always clear, and mishandling the complaint, or failing to adequately protect the complainant from retaliation, may lead to poor employee morale and costly litigation. This topic will assist you in properly identifying and handling whistle-blow...

Storm water and flooding comprise major and growing risks to cities, transportation systems, people, and the environment. Flooding is the major cause of property damage in the U.S., and recent catastrophic hurricanes such as Harvey, Irma, Sandy and Katrina have raised losses to unprecedented levels. Storm water management requires the organization of public utilities and responses to rain tax politics, consent orders, and demands for green inf...

TCEA is the largest state organization devoted to the use of technology in education. This nonprofit member organization has played a vital role in increasing the use and efficacy of technology in education. The TCEA Convention & Exposition attracts educators of all roles who are seeking better teaching and learning practices. The annual event offers more than 1,000 engaging presentations, and over 450 exhibitors showcasing products and se...

The U.S. Department of Education, along with the departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services has released a new planning guide to help school districts develop and maintain emergency operations plans (EOPs). The guide, which comes amid a rise in school shootings in the United States, delivers on a recommendation from the Federal Commission on School Safety to provide schools with resources and assistance in develop...

Lead Your District Forward! As a technology leader, you have an invaluable position in your district. Stakeholders rely on you to protect, sustain, and utilize the best systems in order to make the most of the technology you have and to acquire necessary resources at the best price. Join other leaders in similar positions for an invaluable learning opportunity that will help you develop solutions to meet challenges affecting your district. You...

Instructional/Information Technology at CUNY: Bridging Gaps The City University of New York covers a broad array of campuses, programs and student needs. Recent studies have highlighted the significant role that CUNY plays in providing access to education and opportunities for its students. Digital technologies and online programs can help us bridge gaps to access, reduce commuting stress, provide critical services and reach new student audien...

Know with confidence which items of information to share and which items to keep confidential regarding the Freedom of Information Act. Government officials and employees are well aware that the public has the right to access government information, but it is not always clear what information must be made available and what information should be kept confidential. Additionally, it is not always clear to members of government or the general pub...