Influence and Advocacy Update: U.S. Department of Ed Releases AI Toolkit

Influence & Advocacy Update November 2024 U.S. Department of Education Releases AI Toolkit On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Ed Tech released an AI toolkit for safe, ethical, and equitable AI integration for K-12. This new federal AI resource comes as more districts look for guidance around AI in their classrooms. While many states have released their own K-12 AI guidance, this toolkit will provide a more uniform resource for developing school district AI plans. The Office of Ed Tech is committed to encouraging innovative technological advances to improve teaching and learning across the nation’s education systems in a safe, ethical and equitable environment/manner. Read the announcement here. AI TOOLKIT READ THE ANNOUCEMENT

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I&A Update: New Safety Measures for Teen Social Media

October 2024 I&A Update: New Safety Measures for Teen Social Media Many of you may have heard about TikTok’s New Family Safety Partnership designed to create a contract-style document that allows parents to establish clear boundaries and guidelines for their family’s social media uses. As well as Instagram's decision to unveil “teen accounts” feature, where teenagers are automatically placed into private accounts with built-in privacy controls. But did you know State Attorneys General Endorse Social Media Warning Labels: A coalition of 42 U.S. state attorneys general recently endorsed a plan to introduce warning labels on social media platforms. This initiative, first outlined in a June op-ed by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, would implement tobacco-style labels on social media to highlight risks such as anxiety, depression, and body image issues. These movements are designed to protect our children and keep them as safe as possible. Visit the MassCUE Influence & Advocacy Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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I&A Update: A New Era of Online Safety for Kids

September 2024 I&A Update: A New Era of Online Safety for Kids It’s been more than two decades since there have been any new federal laws addressing online safety for children. Since then, we have seen the rise of social media and so many safety concerns impacting kids when they are online. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal introduced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) back in February of 2022 and this summer it made its way through the Senate. President Biden is expected to sign the bill when it makes its way to his desk. Learn more about the ways this bill will protect our kids: What to know about the Kids Online Safety Act that just passed the Senate | AP News Visit the MassCUE Influence & Advocacy Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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I&A Update: Ed Tech Advocacy and Policy Fly-In

June 2024 I&A Update: EdTech Advocacy Day     On May 1, 2024, three members of our Influence and Advocacy Committee—Jenn Judkins, Colleen Terrill, and Karen Winsper—along with AJ Cote from DESE’s Office of Education Technology, took on the task of advocating for essential changes in educational technology. The team participated in the annual Ed Tech Advocacy and Policy Fly-In event, co-hosted by CoSN, ISTE, SETDA, and SIIA. This event brings together colleagues from various states, school districts, and ESAs, as well as members of Congress, key congressional staff, and education association leaders. They gathered in Washington DC to discuss critical topics such as cybersecurity, student data privacy, E-Rate, closing the homework gap, and other important educational technology issues. In the morning, the team joined leaders from the hosting organizations, other educators, vendors, and policymakers to prepare for the advocacy efforts. They met with staff from Representative Auchincloss’, Representative Trahan’s, and Representative McGovern’s offices as well as senior staff from Senator Warren’s and Senator Markey’s offices. The team emphasized the need for strong student data privacy measures, full funding for Title II and Title IV grants, enhanced cybersecurity, expanded E-Rate access including coverage for cybersecurity measures, and responsible AI usage. This year's event provided a unique opportunity to discuss how digital learning is a key element in creating equitable and effective education in a post-COVID world. The team's participation showcased the importance of collective action in achieving tangible progress toward ensuring every student has access to quality education in a digitally advanced setting. To learn more about key points from the event please click here. Visit the MassCUE Influence & Advocacy Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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I&A Update: Tools to Develop a School Safety Plan

May 2024 I&A Update: Tools to Develop a School Safety Plan For those who aren’t aware, the Cybersecurity and…

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I&A Update: Support the Affordable Connectivity Program

April 2024 I&A Update: Support the Affordable Connectivity Program EducationSuperHighway continues to work to close the digital divide…

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I&A Update: Changes to the Kids Online Safety Act

March 2024 I&A Update: Changes to the Kids Online Safety Act Future Privacy Forum (FPF) recently shared information on the changes…

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I&A Update: Computer Science Graduation Requirement?

February 2024 I&A Update: Computer Science Graduation Requirement? Share your Input. Should Massachusetts include computer science in high school graduation requirements? The…

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I&A Update: A New Age Verification Proposal

January 2024 I&A Update: A New Age Verification Proposal Meta is pushing for rival tech giants such as Google and Apple…

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I&A Update: State Legislators Consider Bills on Technology and Data

December I&A Update: State Legislators Consider Bills on Technology and Data The MA Joint Committee on Education met on October 30,…

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I&A Update: Back to School Connectivity Challenge

November I&A Update: Back to School Connectivity Challenge The US Office of…

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I&A Update: Artificial Intelligence

October I&A Update: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning The United States Department of Education, Office of Educational…

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